Reader to Reader: August 24, 2024

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Thanks for rides

I’d like to add to the Reader to Reader submission from Mark Kahan, Gratifying job (Aug. 10), about Wheels of Hope.

After a lump was detected in my prostate, radiation treatments were prescribed. Not having a car, I tried the bus. The Commissioners Road bus runs every 45 minutes to Victoria Hospital. To receive treatments, a full bladder is required. I struggled with a full bladder and the frequency of the bus. It wasn’t working. Sometimes my treatments were cancelled or delayed.

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Then, I found out about Wheels of Hope.

A very helpful, friendly person picked me up at my door and drove me to the hospital and picked me up with a smiling face after treatment and drove me home. My stress levels declined and with their help and true concern, I completed my treatments.

Thank you to all my drivers and all the good folks at Wheels of Hope and all the nurses and staff at the cancer centre. There truly are angels out there.

Bobby O’Connor, London

Support appreciated

Thank you to everyone who bought Blizzards on Miracle Treat Day. As a family who depends on London Health Sciences Centre for our child’s emergency and ongoing care, your support means everything.

Seeing your child in the hospital is something that no parent should have to experience, it’s that much worse when you’re hours away from your home, other children and support systems.

It becomes even more difficult when Ronald McDonald House is full and you sometimes have to go without personal basic needs being met. Food costs add up quickly, because hospital restaurants don’t take gift cards, and even with the medical rates, hotels are still $200 a night.

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This is where the Children’s Health Foundation comes in. Not only do they provide financial assistance, but they also work with the hospital’s pediatric family resource centre to provide emotional support to families. They check in on you, they listen, and they can empathize with what’s going on.

On behalf of the families who make 5,156 visits for ongoing care and 296 visits to the emergency department every year, the families of the 98 children who require stays in the critical care unit each year, and the families of the 410 children who require care on Ward B6 each year, thank you.

Your support means everything to families like mine.

Kait Lowe, Amherstburg

Decoration days

Purcell Cemetery, at 21711 Johnston Line, Wardsville, is hosting its annual decoration day Sept. 1. There will be no memorial service. Please mail or drop off donations to help defray cemetery maintenance costs to: Purcell Cemetery, c/o Mr O. Long, 15096 Black’s Rd., Wardsville, Ont., N0L 2N0. Cheques payable to the Purcell Cemetery or etransfers accepted at purcellcemetery@gmail.com. For further information, please call 519-524-6212 or email padfieldwj@gmail.com

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Wendy (Purcell) Padfield, cemetery board member

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The Vining Cemetery, at 22157 Purple Hill Rd., is having its annual decoration day Sept. 1, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Donations to assist with the care and upkeep of the cemetery are gratefully accepted that day, or mail a cheque made payable to Vining Cemetery to Lloyd Monteith, 34542 Granton Line, Granton, Ont., N0M 1V0

Lloyd Monteith, Granton

Yard sale

Rowntree Memorial United Church, 156 Elliott St. at Cheapside, is having a yard and bake sale Sept. 7, from 9 a.m. to noon, as part of the Carling neighbourhood yard sale.

Maryjane Jolliffe, Rowntree Memorial United Church

Bottle drive

The annual Terry Fox bottle drive is Sept. 7, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Kellogg Lane on the west side of the Kellogg building.

Don Clayton, London

Free bridge lesson

Interested in learning to play bridge? We offer a taste of bridge on Sept. 7, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the London Bridge Centre, 1106 Dearness Dr., Unit 9.

The session is free, but pre-registration is required at londonbridgecentre.ca.

For more information, email Sara Ellis at ellis.saraj@gmail.com.

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Linda Tindale, chair of education committee, London Bridge Centre

Men needed

The Nostalgic Theatre, a well-established musical theatre company, has openings for new members. We are especially in need of men, though women are welcome, too.

We provide dancing, singing, and comedy entertainment to seniors in community centres, seniors’ residences, churches and more. Membership is open to talented people older than 55.

Can you sing? Dance a bit? Tell a good joke? Contact me at lynneaj323@gmail.com. You might be just what we need. We rehearse Wednesday afternoons in London.

Lynne Armstrong-Jones, London

Chicken BBQ

Melville United Church Chicken BBQ will be held Saturday, Sept. 7, from 4:30 to 7 p.m., at Poplar Hill Park.

Tickets are $25 for adults, $10 for children 12 and under.

Call 519-666-2787 for tickets and more information.

June Hale, Ilderton

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