Community Care is an organization developed to support the health and well-being of seniors and adults with physical challenges live independently in their home.
t provides a wide range of services to help them maintain their independence and dignity. The Millbrook branch of Community Care operates under the umbrella of Community Care Peterborough, which is managed by a board of directors, a few staff and almost 1,000 volunteers throughout the City and County of Peterborough.
Millbrook Community Care offers a wide variety of programs through local partnerships and an extensive use of volunteers, designed to support clients in tangible ways. They include providing meals, transportation, targeted exercise programs, social activities and telephone reassurance checks.
It should be no surprise that the demand for Community Care Services is growing. Karen Morton, Community Development Coordinator in the Millbrook Office, reports that their client count is approaching 400 residents, which represents an increase of almost 33% since 2019.
With only one paid staff member, Millbrook Community Care relies on the generous support of sixty local volunteers to deliver services to their clients. The organization is always seeking more volunteers to bolster the rosters, particularly drivers to deliver clients to medical appointments.
While Community Care receives some financial support from the province, the bulk of their spending is raised by each branch. The 2023 Millbrook Community Care budget is $107,000, of which $80,000 must be raised locally. For the last seven years, the Advantage Charity Classic Golf Tournament organized by Chris Schier has made a substantial dint in this obligation. In September, the event raised approximately $11,000 for the Millbrook branch. Events like this usually provide $25,000 for the local organization each year. Millbrook’s New to You shop located at their office which sells gently used clothing generates another $20,000 per year on average. That leaves roughly $35,000 to be raised through donations or one-off events like the Tim Horton’s Smile Cookie campaign.
If you find you have some spare time or some spare cash, consider supporting this local organization that does so much for our seniors population. With any luck, you might find yourself in need of their services in the future. Thanks for being there. KG
