Expanding fire services costly

MORRISBURG – On Wednesday morning, October 2nd, CUPE’s Ontario School Board Council of Unions notified that the union will begin a full strike action on Monday, October 7th. UCDSB chair John McAllister said, “I cannot […]

The Township of South Dundas and the Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre have joined forces in an effort to provide “interactive training experience addressing the fundamentals of on-line business” for local businesses.

The first three seminars planned focus on e-business topics. Each seminar begins at 7:30 a.m. with a breakfast and networking opportunity followed by an informative presentation on the topic of choice, ending at 10:30 a.m.

While the first seminar, How You Can Profit from E-Biz, has come and gone, there are two more left in the series: February 28th, Social Media Marketing; and, March 27th, Increasing Traffic to Your Website.

The first session, according to South Dundas Economic Development Officer, Nicole Sullivan, “was very informative. It provided a blend of practical information for businesses looking to create a website as well as those looking to improve their current site.”

“Of particular interest to attendees was the pattern in which users read websites and how that determines the way a website should be laid out.”

She explained that the seminars are part of a “larger goal of being able to offer initiatives that support the business community as a whole and build partnerships and networking opportunities.”

“The next seminar will be led by the same presenter as the first. I have no doubt it will be of equal quality and encourage all businesses interested in increasing their presence on the internet to attend.”

At the February seminar, Sullivan is hoping to distribute a survey to determine what other topics might be of interest to the business community in South Dundas.

“If successful,” she said, “hopefully we’ll be able to continue on” with the seminars.

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These days the work of volunteers is what keeps many organizations and agencies going and events happening.

Last Tuesday, May 1, the J.W. MacIntosh Seniors’ Support Centre in Williamsburg took the time to say thank you and honour the many volunteers who play a huge role is what the centre is able to offer.

Janet Levere, Executive Director of the Williamsburg Non-Profit Housing Corporation, kicked off the celebration with a warm welcome and thank you, “for the many hours of hard work and commitment you have given to our community seniors, frail elderly and adults with disabilities so they can continue to live at home.”

Levere also thanked the volunteer members of the board of directors of the Corporation which leads the organization.

She pointed out, “it is not only us who recognize your value. The Ministry of Health and the Champlain LH1N are recognizing the importance of the work that community support services provide. They are directing more funding towards non-urgent transportation so seniors and others can get to their dialysis, to medical appointments and to adult day programs. This is one way to prevent health crisis.”

She also said that more wheelchair-accessible vehicles will be available in the five counties.

Levere congratulated the volunteers, who, for the second year, recorded over 7,000 hours of volunteer service.

“In fact our statistics tell us it was 7,661 hours. Your support is never ending, and new volunteers are always being recruited and trained so we don’t overload you.”

The volunteer hour breakdown shows that 73 persons received 2,607 meals during the year, and 337 seniors enjoyed 4,284 dinners.

A total of 120 clients were supported with 3,146 one-way trips and 93 people benefited from 457 foot care appointments. Another 17, enjoyed 505 units of the adult day programs.

Some 2,728 hours of volunteer work were provided for fund raising,  to the craft group, social recreation, and exercise programs. 

“In total 517 people were served during the past year by our volunteer support services and our paid employee services,” said Levere.

As for the paid employee services, Levere released figures that showed after discharge from Winchester District Memorial Hospital, 54 persons were supported by the Going Home program, while 93 more Going Home referrals were directed to other community support area service agencies located Metcalfe, Ingleside, Finch and Russell etc.

Nineteen clients were supported under the Assisted Living Service, just one short of the funded 20 spots, and 29 clients were served under Supportive Housing Services.

Fifteen seniors benefited from the Respite Apartment located at the Williamsburg centre, and 44 clients used the Respite Service program in their own homes.

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