For over 20 years, Kay Mennie has been volunteering every Friday at the Fundy Nursing home in Blacks Harbour, NB.
“She just brings the level of everyone’s spirit right up. Everyone is so happy to see her come through the door and she’s just amazing.” says Emma Keech, activities director at the nursing home.
Both residents and staff look forward to what’s now dubbed as “Kay’s Party” on Fridays.
“I have games with them, doesn’t matter if they win, they always get a prize and they love that. They love my lemon cakes. That’s what I bring every Friday when I come. Lemon cake with whipped cream…who could say no to that?” says Kay
“It makes a big difference because she’s picking up the quality of their life. She comes in and you can feel the room. She’s happy and bubbly and it gets everyone in a great mood and smiling, and it really helps out and makes a big difference,” says Amanda Harmon, a licensed practical nurse at the Fundy Nursing Home.
“People like Kay infuse life into a place, and hope and make people feel like they’re welcomed and needed,” says Fr. Keith Osborne.
As much as the residents have come to rely on Kay, she says she has become dependent on them.
“It’s not a one-way street. I’m not the only giver,” she says. “ These people give back to me a hundred fold. I’ve learned so much over the years from them that I could never learn from a book.”
Congratulations to Kay Mennie, our Maritimer of the Week!
If you know someone deserving of our Maritimer of the Week award, we want to hear about it.
It doesn’t matter how old they are, the nature of the good deed they’ve done, or what part of the region they live in – we want your ideas!
Please send your nomination to:
or
Maritimer of the Week
P.O. Box 1653
Halifax, N.S.
B3J 2Z4
