AMHERST – This week has been proclaimed as VON Week in Amherst.
Mayor David Kogon proclaimed the week during a flag-raising ceremony May 18 at the flag pole on the corner of Church and Albion streets. The flag will fly until May 26.
In proclaiming the week, Kogon noted the Victorian Order of Nurses for Canada is a national, charitable, non-profit, community-based health-care organization that addresses community health and social needs.
“VON Cumberland site nurses, home-support workers and other staff and volunteers have been caring for the lives and well-being of residents of Amherst since 1938,” the mayor said, moments before Deputy Mayor Sheila Christie raised the flag.
“Their programs, health promotion and support services have made a significant contribution to the town and to the health-care system in Nova Scotia.
“I encourage all residents of Amherst to support the VON and our community by regularly volunteering their time and financially supporting VON Cumberland’s charitable programs.”
This year’s theme for VON Week is Care Where It’s Needed Most.
According to VON Canada’s website, the organization has been helping take care of Canadians in their homes since 1897. With almost 14,000 staff and volunteers in sites in 1,200 communities across the country, it is a leader in the delivery of innovative community health-care services.
VON Cumberland employs about 160 people, including nurses, continuing-care assistants, client-service associates, management and administrative staff.
They provide in-home support and nursing throughout Cumberland County, offer foot-care clinics in Amherst, Oxford, Pugwash, Wallace, Springhill, River Hebert, Parrsboro and Advocate Harbour, provide Meals on Wheels in Amherst and conduct adult day programs two days per week in Amherst and Oxford.
They also offer the Vial of Life program throughout Cumberland County.
