Base volunteers shred for veterans’ care

Volunteers Blair Black (left), Cpl Chris Smith (middle) and OS Christina Blaskavitch (right) help pile up documents for the shredder.

Shredding paper has put $10,000 into caring for the elderly.

The cash was raised at the 2nd Annual Shred a Thon for Broadmead Care, through document shredding on Saturday Feb. 22.

Volunteers from Maritime Forces Pacific, Sea Cadets and Claremont High School dumped boxes of documents, magazines, old newspapers, and other paper products into a shredder for a donation.

“Last year’s event had such a great reaction we wanted to give it another shot,” says Kathy Baan, Director of Development for Broadmead Care, a non-profit organization that provides housing, and social and health service for seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities. Among the facilities run by Broadmead care are Nigel House, Harriet House, and the Lodge at Broadmead, where the event took place.

“These are members of our community who have contributed to our country in ways many of us cannot imagine,” says Baan. “We want to do anything we can to get the community involved in giving back to them.”

Money raised from the event goes directly to supporting social programs at Broadmead Care’s facilities, such as creative arts. These programs forge connections and create positive moments for residents suffering from cognitive impairments.

“A lot of our residents suffer from Alzheimer’s and dementia,” says Baan. “With art programs we’re able to engage them mentally, which can do wonders for the cognitive ability and emotional wellbeing. It really can change their lives, if only for a moment at a time.”

Island Document Storage and Shredding was on site, filling ears with the sound of documents falling to the teeth of their churning machine.

“People bring all kinds of things,” says Baan. “We’re happy to provide a place to get rid of it all and help our residents along the way. It’s a win-win for the community.”

More than 10 military members joined LS Sylvain Dostie for the event. He has been volunteering at the Lodge at Broadmead for a number of years.

“My father is receiving care in a similar program back in Quebec and it’s really helping him out,” he says. “Since I’m posted here I wanted to give back in some way, so the Lodge seemed perfect. It makes me feel like I can help my father, even though he’s on the other side of the country.”

LS Dostie says helping out with community programs such as the shred-a-thon is a great way for military members to give back to their community.

“These are people who are in the same position we’re in now. We’ve got to do whatever we can to honour their service and sacrifices,” he says.

More information on Broadmead Care’s programs and facilities can be found at www.broadmead care.com.

-Shawn O’Hara, Staff Writer