16 - The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday July 16, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com Living Oakville Beaver LIVING EDITOR: ANGELA BLACKBURN By Hiba Kesebi SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Phone: 905-845-3824, ext. 248 Fax: 905-337-5567 e-mail: angela@oakvillebeaver.com Perfect pairs honoured by Acclaim S trawberries and cream and the best of friends. Both perfect pairs were honoured recently at Acclaim Health's annual Strawberry Social hosted at the Glen Abbey Recreation Centre. As Betty Dowinton and Dorine Tracey munched strawberry delicacies, it was all reminiscent of other times they've shared. Like that in which they sat in the car together, each with a donut in hand, watching as ducks swam across the open lake in front of them. These are moments of serenity and calm, moments of bonding between two friends, who despite differences in age, share so much in common. Dowinton and Tracey were paired through the Friendly Visiting program, facilitated by Acclaim Health (formerly Victorian Order of Nurses (VON)) -- a non-profit charitable organization that aims to provide heathcare needs for communities. The Friendly Visitor program sees that isolated seniors and physically-challenged adults are paired with volunteers who provide them with emotional support and company. Dowinton and Tracey just recently attended the Strawberry Social held by Acclaim Health and sponsored by the Oakville-Trafalgar Rotary Club. The event, which has been an annual event since 1988, provides an enjoyable outing for Acclaim clients who are otherwise socially isolated. Tracey looks forward to the event because she feels it brings people with similar experiences together. Jean Macerollo, Oakville co-ordinator of Acclaim's Friendly Visiting program, noted that approximately 250 people attended this year's social where Dowinton, Tracey, and the rest of the attendees enjoyed ice cream and cake, served with strawberries while listening to live singing and musical entertainment. "She's such an interesting person. I don't feel an age difference. She's someone who I want to be friends with." Betty Dowinton, volunteer CHRIS KORNACKI / OAKVILLE BEAVER GOOD TOGETHER: At the annual Strawberry Social hosted by Acclaim Health and the Oakville-Trafalgar Rotary Club at the Glen Abbey Recreation Centre, Dorine Tracey (left) and Betty Dowinton share dessert and a hug. Like many other clients, the event provided an opportunity for Tracey to meet and bond with her volunteer. Dowinton has been volunteering with the program since February 2004, but was not paired with Tracey until 2007. Since then, the two have become fast friends. "We clicked right away. We go out together, we have fun, we laugh a lot," said Tracey adding they often go shopping, visit antique shops and art galleries together. Dowinton, generally gets in touch with Tracey at least once a week. "She's such an interesting person. I don't feel an age difference. She's someone who I want to be friends with," said Dowinton. "We just hit it off like a house on fire," she added. The secret for Dowinton's and Tracy's strong friendship lies in the fact, that Macerollo, and Bette Read, Burlington co-ordinator of the Friendly Visitor program, have volunteers and clients fill out an application that includes questions about personal interests and favorite activities. The two co-ordinators then do an assessment to try to match clients and volunteers based on the information provided. The program, and several other similar ones hosted by Acclaim Health, is in need of volunteers who are able commit two to three hours per week for the Friendly Visitor program, or one or two hours a week for the Special Steps program, which offers volunteers to seniors who are experiencing memory loss, or even a few minutes to one hour a week for the TeleTouch program, which is a phone reassurance services where volunteers call individuals at prearranged times for friendly conversation and security. Tracey describes the Friendly Visitor program as a life saver. "I can't speak too highly of the program," she said. "It brought caring people into my life. It helped me when I needed it desperately. It was a life saver." Volunteers who wish to give a little bit of their time to make a difference in a lonely senior's life, should contact Acclaim Health's Community Support Service at 905827-8800 or 1-800-387-7127, ext. 2317 or visit volunteering@acclaimhealth.ca. Big Brothers urgently needed this summer in Oakville Big Brothers Big Sisters of Halton is encouraging men to step up to the plate and volunteer to be a mentor to a boy on the waiting list. While many area kids are enjoying the long, hot days of summer by riding bikes, playing baseball or enjoying an ice cream, for many youngsters waiting for a Big Brother these activities are beyond their reach. While this United Way agency's campaign to find 100 Good Men in 2008 has attracted some new volunteers, there continues to be a severe shortage of male mentors in the Oakville area. "Being a Big Brother doesn't have to be an expensive or time-consuming proposition," said Big Brothers Big Sisters of Halton co-ordinator of volunteers Wendy Somerville. "Basketball in the park, scavenger hunts, fishing, building a bird house are all inexpensive activities that can result in amazing memories for a child who doesn't have a positive male role model in their life," said Somerville. A little bit of time can mean a lot to a child. Call the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Halton Oakville office at 905-339-2355, e-mail info@bbbshalton.ca or visit www.bbbshalton.ca.