PARRSBORO - Two of this community's most active service clubs have come together to provide a gift to South Cumberland Community Care Centre.
The Parrsboro Lions Club and Branch No. 45 of the Royal Canadian Legion have purchased two new ceiling lifts for the care facility, and were on hand to present the cheque on Dec. 16.
"Where community groups can come together to facilitate the benefit of the community, partisan lines can be crossed to come together in a common purpose," said Keith Odlin, service officer with the local legion branch. "This has shown co-operation between two good organizations again. It's not the first time and hopefully won't be the last."
The two organizations have worked together in the past on such projects as purchasing a blanket warmer for the care centre.
Odlin approached the care centre staff this year to find out what would be on their Christmas wish list for equipment, and was told additional ceiling lifts were much desired. As it is part of the legion's mandate to support facilities that provide care for veterans, and the care centre now provides long-term care for two veterans and three widows of veterans, he knew the legion branch would be supportive of the purchase.
Ceiling lifts are placed under the patient in the bed and are used to move the patient from the bed to a nearby chair or wheelchair with the use of a sling and the press of a button. The lifts are also designed to protect the hospital's health care workers by preventing strain injuries.
With a high $6,500 price tag for the lifts, however, Odlin sought a partner and quickly found it in the Lions club, which agreed to fund 50 per cent of the cost.
"We had done a couple of things together before," said King Lion Frank Hartman. "Where this was a very expensive item, we decided we would chip in 50 per cent of the cost because it is very important for these rooms here and for the nurses who work with the patients. We're very pleased to be able to participate in this."
Ron MacCormick, site manager of the care centre, was gracious in accepting the donation, which he said would be of great use with the day-to-day care of the residents.
"It's important given the nature of our patient population, and the staff as well," said MacCormick. "We're so pleased and appreciative of the work these guys have done."
The purchase is just another example of how easily community groups can work together, according to Odlin.
"The community exists because of the volunteerism of a number of groups, not a particular group," he said. "So, for the last number of years, it's been my personal feeling that two organizations like the legion and the Lions can always work together."
