Providing refuge for 25 years

Fidelis House celebrates significant anniversary

Fidelis House volunteers celebrated 25 years of providing families and friends with the comforts of home on July 15.

“We’ve had full houses lately,” said Gertrude Morse, the volunteer who manages day-to-day operations.

Located on the grounds of Valley Regional Hospital, Fidelis House offers a home-awayfrom-home. It serves guests whose loved ones are in the hospital or patients themselves receiving medical treatment.

Last year, the comfortable facility welcomed more than 1,000 guests from Yarmouth County, which explains why groups like the Yarmouth Lions Club are so supportive, Morse says.

Digby County visitors numbered over 650, followed by Lunenburg at 489 and Annapolis at 442. Halifax and Shelburne Counties are close behind with about 400 visitors each.

“The rest are scattered,” says Morse. “Over 300 came from other parts of Canada.”

Staffed around the clock by more than 60 dedicated volunteers, guests are only asked to contribute a nominal fee each night towards their stay. More than half of the volunteers, who are seniors, have put in an excess of 10 years service, Morse said.