M Whftby Free Press, Weckiesday, Octobor 19,1994, Page 27 Volu uteier grup ehances patent care By John Diujay Although they were officially founded in 1966, the volunteer association at the Whitby Psychi- atric Hospital bas- been around as long as tbe bospital bas, says director of volunteer services Joanne Ashloy. Sbe bas been the head of tbe group for about five yoars, but b as ben around MTH for more tban 20 years. Before 1966, local cburch and service groups would visit the hospital and provide entertain- ment and bingo .for. the patients. However tbey evpntually deci- ded te tormally corne togetber and register themselvos as an assoc iation. Thoir main goal is "tbe enhancement of patient care," says Asbley. As woll, ýthey raise funde for tbe bospital which has been around Éor 75 years. One of tbe most popular fundraisers is the volunteer-a-wsb troe and was- eaul pgam. Wassail is descri- bed in t b e dictionary as a toast offered te good hoalth and pro- sperity. For the event, members of the public corne eut to tbe hospital one evening in December. They make a donation and then tbey f et one of five different cloured ight-bulbs which they can place on a tree. It is then lit up and eveyone gathers- around te celebrate with refreshments. It's a nice opportunity for the community te support tbe hospi- ta) » she says. eTitby's Town Crier Fred Martin is broughiti along with the Notables choir. fts a lively and beautiful ceremony tbat JMANNE ASHLEY really bits home with the coin- munity, says Ashley. «They see tbe true rneaning**ef partner- ahip' Last year, they raiaed $250at the event. The vïolunteer association aise runs the gift sbop inside the bospital. Asley says tbat the shop sella "any gift for any occa- sion.» A list of some of the items sold includes:cards, porcelain dolîs, dishos, jewelry cbildren's outfxts, atuffed animais and even chocolate bars. The volunteers inman the patient library which stocks al aorts of books and magazines. But it -is more than'a library, abe 9as ey run activities inside -the spaoe and bave music (there is a piano). The volunteera serve refresbments. "Itfs quite a nice social milieu," she says. As Well, eery boce in'a wbile, they holdwhat they calsocial teas. «It's like inviting *people into your home" says Ashley. There je, musical entertainment, and the patients are served tea. Evoryday, outaide the v olun- teer office,.. is an octagonal sign with the words Coffée Stop emblazonod on it.* Staff and patients are welcome to corne in and get fresh coffee that has been preparod by the group. They can also prepare pots for any spocial ovents or meetings. Ashloy is a ively woman with boundless energy who likos te be "If you're going te take some time te do something you might as well do it with some dash andi splash*,»she says. She is excited about ýthe new building and'-says tliat'ber 240- member associationi will become an integral part of the orien- tation procoas. Persons will visit tbe. new building from ail over the coun- try and tbe province, she à ays. t will be the vlunteers' job te holp guide them through by running information bootbs and tours. Ag.roup of By John Dujay About two years ago, The Notables choir was born. Jim Ashley and bis wife Joanne, who ia bead of volunteer services at Whitby Psychiatric Hospital, decided that it would be a nice idea te atart a -choir that would operate out of the bospital. Se tboy made some phono calîs and . approacbod members of the bospital staff and volunteer asso- ciation. Two weeks later, tbe choir was a roality. Jim, a retired accountant, Asb- loy, wyitb more tban 25 years experience conducting choral music, was asked te -be the direc- ter. "I can't sing wortb a lick,» ho aays witb a chuckje. "That's wWy the 'made nmedirécter.» PR'e greupebas about 20 te,25 She says she has been around the hospital %frever.» She was -raduated from the school of nursing a long, time a go, she saya, being coylyvague about it. She had been involved with social work at the bospital before' she became. the director of volun- teer services. .. The association alis assists in sêtting up special > evénts such as bingo and inovies. But their most important function' is simple. "Juat Sitting and being a friend,» says Asbiley. Notables' merpbers. They practice once a week- for about. two bours In building 30 at tbe WPH. The room bas great acoustics and two pianos, says Ashley. Their name is a wordplay with the termi. music note. «Thoy jot- ted down a few names on a piece of paper,» hoe says, and Notables was What they came up with. They tour around 'the area doing free performances in Scar- borough, Bowmanville and Whitby, among other places. They mostly perform show mod- leys from Hello Dolly, Annie and Fiddler on tbe Roof. When ho was thinking about joining, Asbloy thought, "It'd be great te have (a choir).» Asbloy proviously worked for the. Ceunty Town Singera and varieus musical theatreâ in the area. Ho was also involved witb various musical bands playing saxophone and clarinet.' As nley remembers bis mentor Fred Roy, who was bis b ih achool music teacher from Os- awa Collegiate, (today O'Neill CVI). Roy got. Ashley involved with' music, a passion that con- tinues te tlus day. "He bad a fantastic student orchestra,» says Asbley. As well as doing his work with the Notables, be does vlunteer work for. the Red Cross, bloed donor -clinie,. mostly on, the phones. Thoir shows are usually divi- ded up between choral work, with the odd solo and duets says Asbley.- «Wo try te diversiey the wbole tbing teplease everybody." Ho is baving great fun witb the choir. uIt~s a great hobby',» says Ashley. .* . .. . . . . . . -- ---- --: CongaEnlterprses Peeesht M.a nufatre s Ca ta on R75& oo Dck * u U ofin * PSrv a Si*icegleof * .E$WComel. Rofitseto Sysem& aineny c 530 Calingviw Dri.........ON....8H TEL: (16) 47u397Q FAX:.416)......8