Posted by PDG Ross White

Two significant sponsorships by the Rotary Club of Nanaimo with funds from the book sale and The Rotary Foundation have been benches at Eden Gardens, seniors' dementia residence, and bed frames and mattresses for the Vancouver Island Mental Health Society (VIMHS).

For each of these activities, members of the Rotary club are active participants fulfilling the Rotary goal of “Service Above Self”.

The most recent activity at VIMHS was funding of over $11,600 CDN.  Part of this was a $3,500 USD matching grant from the Rotary Foundation District Community Grant.  Beneficiaries of this project were the residents of the VIMHS facility which is 3 residences with a capacity of 35 individuals.  They now have bed bug free frames, mattresses and bedding.  Also, the beds are more suitable for some of the residents who are tall or oversize.  Previous sleeping arrangements were not conducive to restful sleeping and some mattresses were on the floor.

A work party was held in late August at VIMHS.  Participants received the bed frames, mattresses, and bedding from the supplier.  In preparation for the new beds, Rotarians, partners and Rotaract students removed the old frames and mattresses, unpacked the new supplies, set them up and installed them.  Following a morning of work and fellowship, the workers were treated to a BBQ.