15th Anniversary for Labdara

 

On June 25th in 2002, the first Lithuanian nursing home in Canada - LABDARA, welcomed its first residents.  Thus began 15 years of continuous service to the elderly in our community.  We marked the 15th Anniversary of our home with a series of events over the course of 2017 - our anniversary year.

 

ANNIVERSARY MASS:   We began with a commemorative Mass Sunday morning June 25th at the Franciscan Father’s Resurrection Parish church - directly across the street from Labdara.  A large number of residents, accompanied by staff and Labdara Foundation Board members participated in the special ceremony that also remembered our departed residents.  The IN MEMORIAM book, listing all of their names was placed upon the alter.  Father Aurelijus Kasparavicius, OFM, beloved by our residents, celebrated the Mass.

 

 

 

BLESSING OF THE NEW PLAQUE:  A new dedication plaque was unveiled by one of our centenarian residents - Marija Gudelis and blessed by Father Augustine Simonavicius, OFM - who 15 years ago, on behalf of the Franciscan Fathers signed the 99 year land lease agreement with the Lithuanian Community Association of Toronto’s (LCAT’s) Labdara Nursing Home Committee/Labdara Foundation.  (In the photo from L to R: Resurrection Credit Union Board Chair Jurgis Valaitis (they funded and produced the new plaque), Labdara Foundation Board of directors chair Gabija Petrauskas, Home Administrator Eric Harela, ACC Home Manager Robert Berg, LCAT Board Members: Gene Kobelsis and Angela Abromaitis, Parama Credit Union Board Chair Rita Urbonavicius and Resurrection Credit Union CEO Linda Moroz.

       

 

OPEN HOUSE:  Following the Mass, Labdara once again opened its doors - this time to welcome the Lithuanian community, resident families and friends to its 15th ANNIVERSARY OPEN HOUSE SOCIAL.  A delicious anniversary cake, good music and singing were enjoyed by all.  Visitors toured the facility and obtained information about our home.  The lively sing-a-long echoed throughout the halls for quite a while as folks wanted to linger.

 

 

STAFF PARTY:  The Nursing Home’s Administration hosted a party on Wednesday, June 21st for all Labdara staff to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of the home and to recognize the great work the staff do to make Labdara a desired home in which to live.  Board director Rauda Dickinson distributed 15th Anniversary certificates of appreciation to all staff and especially recognized those who have served in the home continuously over the past 15 years.

 

 

EVENING OF THANKS:  On Saturday evening, Oct. 14th, 2017 The Board of Directors of the Labdara Foundation invited 150 individuals as VIPs of the evening, as a token of appreciation for their generosity in supporting the nursing home through their gifts of time and resources.  Over the past 15 years of the existence of the nursing home, their support has made a real difference and contributed to the success of Labdara.  Another 200 people attended the evening and helped us celebrate the contributions made by our founding members, previous Chairs of the Board of Directors of Labdara Foundation, former and current home’s administration and management staff, fundraisers, generous donors, our webmaster, our BINGO team and the myriad of contributions of time and effort that our wonderful volunteers make.  They all make a difference.  In gratitude the Board provided each individual with a humble token of thanks for making a difference - certificates of appreciation and thanks were handed out or sent by mail to each one.  Please see the below special EVENING OF THANKS write-up, as well as the photo album for a more fulsome account of the wonderful celebration of thanks.

 

FURNITURE FUNDRAISING DRIVE:  On the occasion of the 15th Anniversary the Board of Directors launched a fundraising drive to replace resident dining room furniture with newer, ergonomically designed tables and chairs.  The drive to raise $75,000 was launched in April 2017 and by the first week in November, 2017 we had achieved our goal at 100%.  New dining room furniture was installed in all 3 resident dining rooms in time for Christmas.  Sincere thanks to our community who so generously supported this drive and enabled us to refresh the residents’ dining experience and seat them in ergonomically appropriate furnishings.

 

 

BE JUSU NEBUTU MUSU!!!  YOU ENABLE US!!!  Without your generous support and participation we would not be able to offer the quality of life that our community is capable of offering to our residents.  Sincere THANKS to all of our supporters.