Maritimer of the Month: N.S. volunteer gives the gift of music
The pandemic has been tough on long-term care homes, but a dedicated volunteer at Northwood in Halifax keeps toes tapping.
Jim Francis has been a volunteer at the senior residence and assisted-living facility for over 16 years.
During that time, he’s taken on many roles, including a musical performer and a radio broadcaster for the Northwood Broadcasting Club.
“You know you can rely on him,” said volunteer coordinator Ruth-Ellen Jackson. “If the broadcasting club has a problem with their tech, or if a broadcaster is not able to come in, he’s the one that fills-in on that shift.”
Jackson says providing entertainment and social events to residents has been difficult with continued restrictions in place following the pandemic.
“We did have trouble after the pandemic bringing people back together,” said Jackson. “We finally have got people coming back enjoying themselves. It was really Jim who helped to do that; we couldn’t have done it without him.”
Francis performs weekly at Northwood with different bands under a variety of aliases like ‘The Elderly Bros’ and ‘Triple Play.’
Residents say Francis is always providing joy, laughter and great tunes – through the good times, and bad.
“We come whenever Jim is playing,” said Paulette Dann, a resident of Northwood Towers. “Many people were isolated in their apartments [during the pandemic]. This is a great way to get people out. We have a lot of fun and a lot of laughs. It’s a great release.”
Linda Furlought, president of the Northwood Broadcasting Club (NWBC), says Francis takes on any role that needs to be filled – from scheduling coordinator to radio tech guru.
“He leads by example in the sense of his commitment,” said Furlought. “It doesn’t matter the weather. If Jim has a shift at NWBC, he’s always here.”
The avid volunteer says he does it for the greater good of the community.
“You do it because you love to do it,” said Francis. “I love to be able to give back what I’ve been given in my life.”
Francis was presented with CTV Atlantic’s Maritimer of the Month plaque for January 2023.
If you know someone deserving of our Maritimer of the Month 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 Month
P.O. Box 1653
Halifax, N.S.
B3J 2Z4
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada Disability Benefit needs to be safeguarded from clawbacks, MPs unanimously agree
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Security guard shot, seriously injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Turfing Poilievre from House a clear sign of desperation by Trudeau Liberals
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
Six Canadian children repatriated from detention in Syria, Global Affairs Canada says
The Global Affairs Department says six Canadian children have been repatriated from detention in northeastern Syria.
Testifying in hush money trial, adult film actor Stormy Daniels describes first meeting Trump
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday in the hush money trial of former U.S. president Donald Trump, prepared to testify about a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential election 10 years later.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Boy Scouts of America changing name to more inclusive title after years of woes
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.