Ringing in the season

Bells of Care campaign now underway at Northside Community Guest Home

The ninth annual Bells of Care campaign is now underway at the Northside Community Guest Home.

The project is a part of the Northside Community Guest Home Foundation’s ongoing fundraising efforts to enhance the lives of the building’s 144 residents.

As part of the campaign, family and friends are given the opportunity to remember past

residents and current guests by placing bells on trees located at the building’s main entrance.

The names of the donors will be kept in a donation book put on display each year.

The monies raised from this year’s campaign will support the installation of automatic doors for Munro Place and Cara House, along with an area leading to the facility’s enriched housing unit.

This upgrade will improve security for residents, especially

seniors who wear WanderGuard bracelets for personal protection.

The door systems will feature mag locks which also serve to improve the mobility of some residents.

A laptop purchase will also enable video chats with family members.

Last year, the campaign raised $13,655, which was used to complete renovations to the guest home’s dining area and bathing suite on the Theresa

Terrace unit.

A Christmas celebration is now scheduled for Thursday at the home’s main lounge, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

In addition to carolling, apple cider and Christmas goodies, donors will be able to hang their ornaments for their loved ones.

Anyone wishing to participate in Bells of Care can do so by dropping in or by phoning Hailey Marinelli at 902-7944733 ext.229.

SUBMITTED PHOTO The fundraising committee for the Northside Community Guest Home Foundation is seen preparing the bells for the Northside Guest Home’s annual Bells of Care campaign. From left, Erma Carmichael, Joan Mushbally, Joanne MacNeil, Joan Gallagher, Lila Howell, Corinne MacDougall, Glenda McKeough and guest home fundraising co-ordinator Hailey Marinelli.