Residents at Mountainview Manor in Ladner last week made a donation aimed at helping a local class with an annual trip.
Residents at the longterm care facility at Delta Hospital donated $450 to the Grade 6/7 class from Ladner Elementary to help fund the students' annual outdoor education trip to Evans Lake, just north of Squamish.
The students visit Mountainview Manor residents throughout the
school year as part of the Grandpals program. The students and teacher Meriel Abrahamson visit the facility monthly and do a variety of different activities - arts and crafts, reading, games, or just visiting and talking - with some of the residents.
"They're basically building a connection with the residents," said Neelufa Ramsamy, recreation therapy supervisor at Mountainview Manor. "For our residents, being around children is just an exceptional experience for them." Abrahamson said the program also benefits students, teaching them manners and respect.
The residents raised the money through the Pay it Forward recycling programs where they collect and count the tabs from discarded pop cans. Staff and residents return the cans.
The aim of the program is to support the local community, Ramsamy said. "It's great for the residents to give back to their community," she said.
