Thank you for giving the gift of adventure! Your amazing outpouring of support ensured that publicity was off the charts for our Around the World campaign earlier this year. Because of this, one lucky resident’s story caught the attention of some movers and shakers in the world of travel. A refresher on that story: To say that Geraldine Anderson likes polar bears is an understatement. The Misericordia Place resident’s room door is adorned with polar bears, she has a polar bear mug, framed pictures of polar bears, a polar bear blanket – you get the idea! Naturally, Geraldine’s dream destination would be to journey throughout the Arctic with special attention to Churchill. Thanks to the amazingly generous teams at Calm Air & Lazy Bear Expeditions, Geraldine’s dreams recently came true! From October 25-28, she adventured in the Arctic, trekking the tundra keeping her eyes peeled for polar bears. We can’t thank her hosts enough for making this incredible opportunity possible – a thought she echoes with her whole heart! I still can't believe this. My whole life I've dreamed of coming to Churchill to see the polar bears and I am so grateful to everyone who made my dreams come true. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Thank you, everyone, for your role in making dreams like this come true. Your support means the world to all of us at MHC!
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Thank you for giving the gift of adventure! Cheered on by the outpouring of community support, Misericordia residents walked, pedaled, wheeled – and even danced – approximately 40,000km around the world from March 2 to May 20! Along the way, they spent St. Patrick’s Day with some Irish friends, had a Hawaiian luau, and even got a taste of the North with a special visit from a polar bear named Star. In a world that remains largely inaccessible because of the COVID-19 pandemic – which has been especially hard on older-adults and health-care workers – the level of engagement and sheer joy brought on by this virtual adventure of a lifetime cannot be overstated. “The Around the World in 80 Days journey has been filled with delightful moments. These are all special experiences that our residents won’t forget anytime soon. Thank you for making this possible!” Jennifer Klos, Recreation Services Manager Exercise plays such an important role in physical and mental health, and by partnering with Canada’s premiere brand that combines fun and fitness, Canadian Tire, we were able to encourage residents to stay active and reach their goals in a fun and unique way. Thanks to Canadian Tire’s unbelievable matching gift program – and your generous support – we were able to help residents reach their dream destinations, while raising more than $80,000 to help provide exercise therapy equipment and innovative technology for recreational activities. AND – while this year’s journey is complete, the adventure is far from over for one of our globetrotters… Geraldine’s dream of heading North is coming true! Thanks to the amazingly generous teams at Calm Air International LP & Lazy Bear Expeditions, Geraldine and a health-care hero will be heading to Churchill, MB to get up close and personal with polar bears in the Fall of 2021 (pending travel restrictions). Thank you, everyone - your support means the world to all of us at MHC! ![]() From March 2 to May 20, Misericordia Place residents are walking, pedalling and wheeling their way to dream destinations around the globe, in support of MHC. Throughout the Around the World in 80 Days campaign, we'll be sharing participants' stories. Hugh McMeel speaks with an unmistakable Irish lilt, so it only makes sense his virtual dream destination would be to return to Ireland. Hugh grew up in Augher, Northern Ireland, but has cycled all over Ireland – both Northern and Southern – and has particularly fond memories of cycling to Dublin to watch football games (that’s soccer in Canadian-speak). “I worked in Belfast for a time,” shares Hugh, “It was 20 miles from Augher. I cycled there every week and came home on weekends. “One weekend a friend bet me I couldn’t cycle to Belfast and back in the same day. Of course I did!” No doubt recreation facilitator Rael will put Hugh through his paces on therapy bikes now that she knows he enjoys cycling. Hugh has only been at Misericordia Place a few weeks, but it already feels like home. “I’ve done a lot of travelling in my life,” he says. “I could just stay here with you kind people and not travel any more.” Hugh actually volunteered at Misericordia Health Centre for many years, companioning residents to Mass! Fortunately, Hugh moved in in time to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Of course there was a party replete with shamrocks and leprechauns! And staff even arranged for Hugh to virtually chat to a family of Dubliners by the Irish sea. ![]() From March 2 to May 20, Misericordia Place residents are walking, pedalling and wheeling their way to dream destinations around the globe, in support of MHC. Throughout the Around the World in 80 Days campaign, we'll be sharing participants' stories. At 98, Millie Richards isn’t able to stand or walk because of balance issues caused by knee issues. But that doesn’t mean she can’t bike. Millie cheerfully pedals a physiotherapy bike to strengthen her knee and chats about her dream travel destination. “Sweden!” she says emphatically. “My father was born in Orso, and I know there are lots of relatives I’ve never met living in Sweden.” Orso is a small village in Sweden, 38 km from the capital Stockholm. “It’s supposed to be a beautiful country,” says Mille wistfully. Coincidentally Millie’s daughter, Brenda Millar, is currently researching her family’s genealogy and learning about her Swedish roots. Brenda is pleased Millie is taking her exercising seriously, sharing that Millie has always been very health conscious. “My mother is definitely a real inspiration to her family and friends. “And she’s as sharp as a tack,” says Brenda with a laugh. You can give the gift of adventure! Support Millie's journey to Orso, Sweden - 6,547 km ![]() From March 2 to May 20, Misericordia Place residents are walking, pedalling and wheeling their way to dream destinations around the globe, in support of MHC. Throughout the Around the World in 80 Days campaign, we'll be sharing participants' stories. Susan Lemoine is dreaming of waves lapping on a beach in Hawaii, so much so that she’s been creating Hawaii artwork. The Misericordia Place resident’s dream destination is Hawaii for a few straight-forward reasons: it’s tropical, there is no snow and there are beaches. Susan recently moved into Misericordia Place and is happy to be familiar with some staff after her visits to Misericordia’s Health Centre’s PRIME program, a day program for seniors with complex care needs. Susan studied Fine Arts at university and can’t wait for spring to head out to Misericordia Place’s extensive gardens to sketch flowers. In the meantime, she’s busy painting and keeping active by wheeling herself around Misericordia Place. You can give the gift of adventure! Support Susan's journey to Honolulu, Hawaii - 6,127 km |
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