Technology upgrade—is a win-win-win

How can upgrading an office computer network benefit employees, the company and the Salvation Army? When you’re a creative Halifax entrepreneur, anything’s possible.

Making some follow up thank you calls to Salvation Army donors, the voice on the other end beckoned me, “you’d better come over. We have more money for you.”

It was Michael Turner, president of Turner Drake & Partners, a well-known Halifax real estate consultancy. He’s been a life-long supporter of the Salvation Army, which has just benefited from his creative ingenuity.

Micheal Turner

The company replaces their computer technology frequently because of rapid software advances in their industry.

“So Mike thought, why not offer the high-end older models to the staff of the company at really low price as a fund-raiser for The Salvation Army?” according to Bonnie Zinck, office manager for the firm.

One of the reasons I enjoy my role with the Salvation Army so much is because I’m continually exposed to people at their best. For example, listening to people like Michael Turner passionately describe why they come up with ideas like this and why they support the Army.

“I don’t see our company as exceptional. We’re just giving the money to The Salvation Army to do the hard work,” Turner says.

“It’s a great investment. It’s in our interest to help those who need the help. If you come out of a restaurant or theatre in downtown Halifax and you’re surrounded by people who’ve got nothing, how does that make you feel? How does that make you feel about your city?”

As a youth from the UK traveling the globe working for a shipping company, what Turner saw first-hand in poorer parts of the world changed him.

“It’s a shock to see the conditions people live in their entire lives. You can’t turn on the news and not be struck by how precarious the state of the world is. And much of that is because of the gulf between people who have everything and people who have nothing. It’s in our self interest to address these problems. Poverty and lack of help forces people to do desperate things. It can have terrible consequences on community.”

Turner Drake office team

Turner Drake has other fans of the Army, who helped promote the computer deal.

“The Salvation Army has been there in my life,” Bonnie Zinck says. “When I was a little girl, I went to Salvation Army Sunday school. When my son was stranded hitchhiking in a blizzard, the police delivered him to the Salvation Army. It was easy to support Mike on this great idea. And the employees got a great deal on some fantastic machines!”

I can think of another winner in all of this. They didn’t wind up on the curb and in the trash. Make that a win-win-win-win.

-Ron
Ron Zima ADpPR
Major Gifts Representative
Salvation Army, Maritimes Division
ron_zima@can.salvationarmy.org

For more details on the Salvation Army, visit:
Salvation Army, Maritimes Division

A place to live, not to die

“A nursing home isn’t a place to come and die. It’s a place to come and live life to the fullest. With the right support and the right people, our residents come to enjoy their days. It’s not a place to give up,” according to Major Shirley King.

Major Shirley King and staff
Shirley’s the executive director of Lakeview Manor, the only home in the area licensed to provide level-three care—24-hour, seven-a-week professional nursing care.

Located in a large green belt overlooking the Petitcodiac River in Riverview, New Brunswick, many folks in the greater Moncton area aren’t aware of this hidden gem—a testimonial to human kindness.

When you visit this place it’s hard not to have a rush of emotions—gladness that a place like this exists. Apprehension about your own, pending “twilight.” And if you should live so long, you can only hope that they have a space for you at Lakeview.

“We have people here who’ve been under our care for many, many years and they’re still with us. It’s a tribute to the quality of care and staff here.”

Therein lays the dilemma. There’s lots of people waiting to get in, but existing residents at Lakeview Manor live a long and happy time. “We could fill 15 extra beds tomorrow, if we had the beds. At the same time, we don’t want to lose the unique environment that Lakeview has become as a 50-bed home,” Shirley says.

The staff have things well in hand and provide an incredible level of caring and empathy, as you’ll see in the video (below). So, what are the challenges? “Budgeting and volunteers,” says Shirley.

“Our volunteer-population is getting older. And we’re often challenged in our budget with the unexpected. Such as roof repairs. Or a back-up generator, which was a major investment.”

“We were without power for 15 hours during an ice-storm several years ago. It was very touch-and-go that night. But thanks to the community and our staff, we’re prepared for that sort of thing again. However, the financial challenges will keep coming. We’ll need the community along side us more than ever.”

Shirley says that Lakeview is well-known by word-of-mouth and to anyone that may have a connection to a resident there. But other than that, Lakeview is a secret to the general public.

Not anymore. Come and experience this miracle of kindness by the river.

-Ron
Ron Zima ADpPR
Major Gifts Representative
Salvation Army, Maritimes Division
ron_zima@can.salvationarmy.org

For more details on the Salvation Army, visit:
Salvation Army, Maritimes Division

Precious Moments

When you talk to Sean and Marilyn Furey, the word that leaps to mind is “passionate”.

They’re passionate about Dartmouth and the vast potential of its’ people. Particularly those served by their Salvation Army ministry headquartered at the Dartmouth Community Church on Pleasant Street.
The Fureys embody the Army’s philosophy of “a hand-up, not a hand-out.” Some of the people they help can be self-conscious about receiving assistance in getting used-furniture, clothing, food, or whatever.

“If that’s the case, I ask them, why don’t you help us pack the stuff…or help with clean-up, or what have you. A lot of them jump at the chance,” Sean says.

I found a lot of that sort of two-way collaboration when I visited the Fureys’ bi-weekly daycare program for parents and young children, called “Precious Moments.”

The positive impact the Fureys and their volunteer staff are having in Dartmouth can’t be adequately described here. A brief video may do some of their story a little justice (click below).

But I think there’s something the video won’t be able to adequately tell. Something that was so evident during my two hours there.

Despite the oppressive backgrounds of many of the parents, and the lack of a lot of daily resources—including an active second-parent, I was overcome by their complete serenity and joy during these “precious moments.”

It was inescapable. It was as if everyone was in heaven. It’s too bad it only happens every second Thursday. Take a look.

-Ron
Ron Zima ADpPR
Major Gifts Representative
Salvation Army, Maritimes Division
ron_zima@can.salvationarmy.org

For more details on the Salvation Army, visit:
Salvation Army, Maritimes Division