If you know a senior who is isolated, the South Burnaby Neighbourhood House can help in more ways than one.
"We're always looking for referrals, so if people know a senior in the community that they know is isolated or could use some connectedness, we have an outreach worker who could follow up on outreach," said executive director Antonia Beck.
The neighbourhood house has about a dozen "ambassadors," who volunteer as outreach workers, connecting seniors to the neighbourhood house and resources in the community at large. They may go to local fairs, doctors' offices or places seniors live, dropping off cards with a list of resources or talking to seniors.
"What they are doing is linking the seniors they meet with resources in the community," Beck said. One option is coming to the neighbourhood house for Friday lunches, cooked by volunteers. The neighbourhood house can also refer seniors to other resources and offer free transportation to its programs, or home visits for information and referrals.
To make a referral, contact Talia at 604-431-0400 or email seniorsoutreach@ sbnh.ca.
HELPING ANIMALS
The Small Animal Rescue Society of B.C. wants your spare change and bottles to help neglected animals. The group is holding a bottle and penny drive on Sunday, Jan. 13 from noon to 3 p.m., and all of the money raised goes towards helping animals.
Readers can help by dropping off bottles at the Return-It bottle depot at 6893 Hastings St.
The society is a volunteer-run organization that rescues small abandoned, neglected or injured animals and helps find them new homes. Email info@ smallanimalrescue.org for more information.
ON THE HUNT
The Burnaby Lougheed Lions Club is looking for some new members to help lighten their philanthropic workload.
The local Lions spend most of their time helping homeless people and supporting international humanitarian projects. The Lions also fundraise and help pay for local kids to go to soccer camp in summer.
The Burnaby Lougheed Lions Club membership includes local MP Peter Julian and city councillors Sav Dhaliwal, Dan Johnston and Paul McDonell.
The group meets in Raj Chouhan's MLA office (at 5234 Rumble St.) in the community room on the fourth Wednesday of every month. Anyone interested in joining can call Darshan at 604-6574040 or Tony at 604-5220698.
