The Bethesda

ISSUE 14 • AUGUST 2020

IN THIS ISSUE

Stay Connected

Retirees

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Dinner Auction

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Thankful for our Community

PAGES 4 - 5

Employee &

Volunteer of the Year

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Chaplain’s Corner

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My Gift

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Welcome to another publication of the Bethesda Link.

I hope that each of you, thus far, have been able to enjoy your summer in the face of some very challenging times! It has not been a typical year for any of us. The staff at Bethesda have been doing an excellent job in the face of very difficult circumstances. My sincere appreciation to our Senior Leadership team and our Managers for the amazing, self-sacrificing job they have been doing; I am proud to be associated with them. Our Adult Clinical, Children’s and Administrative staff have modified their way of delivering services and supports, utilizing a virtual platform wherever possible. The results, while not perfect, have been amazing. Thanks to our staff’s creativity and flexibility, many individuals continue to be supported. Bethesda’s essential staff and our Familyhome providers have lived out the vision, mission and values of our organization and we continue to be grateful to them for this. The dedication and compassion they have demonstrated has been an inspiration to us all. Thank you! In addition to staff, be sure to check inside this edition to see the different ways that local businesses throughout Niagara have stepped up to support Bethesda during these difficult times.

I would also like to take this opportunity to express appreciation to the Government of Ontario for recognizing essential staff financially. We have been fortunate to have the support of the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, as well as our Regional Office.

We look forward in the days ahead to be able to ‘open’ up our services while maintaining policies and processes that ensure the health and safety of our staff, individuals we support and their families.

Respectfully,

Brian DaviesChief Executive Officer

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STAY CONNECTED

DOREEN GOOD Developmental Support WorkerThank you for 13 years of dedicated service to the individuals we support!

BONNIE BERVOETS Mental Health Nurse Thank you for 13 years of devoted and professional service to Bethesda!

Wishing you both a long and enjoyable retirement and best wishes on your new adventure!

CONGRATULATIONSON YOUR RETIREMENT!

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THISDISABILITY

As you know, our original April 2020 Fundraising Dinner Auction had been As you know, our original April 2020 Fundraising Dinner Auction had been

rescheduled for September 25, 2020. Bethesda’s Board of Directors have rescheduled for September 25, 2020. Bethesda’s Board of Directors have

made the difficult decision, for the best interest of all involved, to cancel made the difficult decision, for the best interest of all involved, to cancel

the event for 2020, and reschedule for 2021. the event for 2020, and reschedule for 2021.

Bethesda staff and Board members will be reaching out to ticket holders Bethesda staff and Board members will be reaching out to ticket holders

and sponsors to provide you with options moving forward. Please and sponsors to provide you with options moving forward. Please

check out our website, or follow us on social media, for details check out our website, or follow us on social media, for details

on the 2021 event. on the 2021 event.

We look forward to a time when we can gather together to celebrate We look forward to a time when we can gather together to celebrate

the creative talents of those with special needs that Bethesda the creative talents of those with special needs that Bethesda

supports. We are so appreciative of your continued support. supports. We are so appreciative of your continued support.

Please stay tuned for more information. Please stay tuned for more information.

THANKFUL FOROUR COMMUNITYDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, Bethesda has been fortunate to see so many local individuals and organizations step in to help those we support along with our essential staff. Their generosity has enabled us to continue to do the work we do each day.

Our sincerest thanks go out to:• Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers for providing Bethesda with hand sanitizer.

• CosMic Plants who provided orchids for all essential staff members. Donations were sponsored by Paul Boers Ltd., Langendoen Electric, and Niagara Pallet & Recyclers Ltd.

• Community members including Ryan Lunn Music and Consulting who worked hard to provide our essential staff with non-medical masks.

• Richard from FlavourArt - North America who delivered 10L of hand sanitizer for Bethesda staff.

• Niagara Falls Craft Distillers for their donation of sanitizer for our essential staff.

• Tim Horton’s owner Mike (Vineland and St. Catharines stores), has provided free delivery to Bethesda’s homes at Fly Road and in the community on a weekly basis.

• Conquer COVID-19 for their donation of 1000 KN95 masks for Bethesda’s essential staff.

• Gary and team at Brock University’s Technical Services Electronics and Machine Shop from the faculty of Math and Science for donating over 200 face shields to Bethesda.

• Book Outlet for their generous donation of $500 worth of books for the adults Bethesda supports.

• Tim Hortons St. Catharines, Tremont St., for donating donut kits for use within Bethesda’s Children’s Services.

• Lincoln Public Library, Beamsville, for their donation of books to our organization.

• Small Scale Farms donated 286 bags of vegetables for Bethesda’s essential employees with the help of Local CUPE 2977.

• Bethesda’s essential workers have received some incredibly kind donations of “ear savers” from many groups around the community. Our heartfelt thanks goes out to: Sharon M., Scrub Caps Niagara, Caroline Reid Horne and her “Earth Angels”, and Mask Mate Ear-Savers for Front Line & Essential Workers.

• Second Harvest, Emergency Fund with The Sprott Foundation, who provided $10,000 in grocery cards for those in Bethesda’s Residential services.

• Thanks to Phil at Marble Slab, Fourth Ave, for helping us organize an Ice Cream delivery to help celebrate the first day of summer.

CosMic Plants

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Dillion’s Distillers

Marble Slab

FlavourArt

Tim Hortons Donut Decoration

Niagara Falls Craft Distillers

Troy says Thank You!

Brock University ShieldsBrock University Shields

Masks organized by Jill Lunn and Ryan Lunn

Conquer COVID-19

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EMPLOYEE AND VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR 2020It is our pleasure to announce that all Bethesda Residential and Essential Staff have been designated Employees of the Year for 2020. Throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, each staff member has excelled and risen above and beyond in displaying Bethesda’s vision, mission and values. As a whole, every staff member has united and persevered through these unprecedented times to maintain a safe environment for their co-workers and those Bethesda supports. We thank you for your commitment and dedication to this organization.

Bethesda’s Volunteer of the Year is Anthony Pulicicchio. Anthony is a student at Brock University and first joined Bethesda as a summer student within the Finance Department. With his strong work ethic, Anthony was always putting in extra hours, above and beyond what was required. When his summer student contract ended, Anthony decided to stay on as a volunteer to continue his work with Bethesda. His passion for Bethesda was evident and his contributions to the Finance Department were many. Anthony never hesitated to lend a hand when other staff needed help. Thank you for your service and contributions to Bethesda!

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CHAPLAIN’S CORNERby Mike Gilmore

BEING CARRIED BY GOD“And in the wilderness where you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a man

carries his son, all the way that you went until you came to this place.”

Deuteronomy 1:31

As a father of three adult young ladies, I can completely relate to this beautiful picture and message of being carried by God our loving Heavenly Father. I, personally, have many wonderful memories of carrying each of my girls in from the car when they were completely exhausted and asleep after a busy day. Memories of carrying them in my arms for safety purposes when we were out for a hike. Memories of holding their hand to give them security and direction as we were out exploring, and finally memories of letting them go ahead and encouraging them from behind while reminding them that they are okay and to keep going. At other times, I encouraged them to follow in my footsteps like they used to in the deep snow.

This is the same sort of message that God was reminding the Israelites of as they looked back over their years of journeying, most often being carried through the desert as they were preparing to enter into the Promised Land.

This beautiful message was to a new generation of young Israelites reminding them of His faithfulness in the past, now, and in the days ahead.

I am so thankful to look back and see God’s faithfulness towards Bethesda and how He carried us through these many years. This gives me hope, during the current challenges we face, that God will continue to carry us through and provide for our needs as an agency.

If you are walking through your own wilderness, ask God to lift you up on His shoulders, to carry you as if on “wings like eagles” (Isaiah 40:31).

Finally, God challenged the Israelites to work hard at creating a new home in the land of Canaan while staying faithful to and walking in His ways. As an agency we are called to do the hard work of creating new ways to love, serve and support the ever growing needs within Bethesda and the community around us in this new season of normal.

May we remain faithful to God and serve only Him while continuing to shine the light of Christ in all that we do.

Carried together in His loving arms,Chaplain Mike

3280 Schmon Parkway, Thorold, ON L2V 4Y6T : 905.684.6918 F : 905.684.5866W : bethesdaservices.com

Please accept my gift of : q $50 q $100 q OTHER_____________________________________________

Name: __________________________________________________________________________________Phone:_________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________________________City: ___________________________________Postal Code:_____________

Email: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Select an option: q General Donation q Memorial q COVID-19 Relief Fund

In memory of: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

q I have enclosed a cheque payable to Bethesda Home Foundation Inc. q I prefer to use my: q VISA q MASTERCARD q DISCOVER

Card Number: ____________________________________________________________________________ Expiry Date: ________________ CSC: __________

Name on Card: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Card Holder Signature:____________________________________________________________________

q OR I want to be a Monthly Supporter in the amount of ❏ $20 ❏ $50 ❏ $100 or $_________ per month.

MY GIFTFor your convenience, donations

can now be made at www.bethesdaservices.com

by clicking the Donate Now button.

*Tax receipts issued for donations over $10. Online donations will receive receipts via email.

MAKE A DIFFERENCEThe Bethesda Home Foundation is providing an opportunity to make a difference. Many of Bethesda’s friends have been asking us what can they do to show appreciation to those staff who are

continuing to support individuals with developmental disabilities, in very difficult circumstances. In response, the

Bethesda Board announced an exciting opportunity for our friends to give to those essential staff that are supporting

people each and every day.

Your donations will: • Assist in providing the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) staff require.

• Enhanced employee benefits to assist staff in these difficult times.

• Equipment that will assist staff/client communication with loved ones.

For those who are able, please make your donation online at bethesdaservices.com/donations

You may also send a cheque using the form below.

Be sure to ✓ COVID-19 Relief Fund.

Thank you for making a difference!