On a mission to see seniors not just survive, but thrive; Royal Tea Fundraising Event to uplift elderly

BY PAUL JUNOR

Carol Royer, Executive Director of Buddy Services Centre for Seniors is on a mission to see seniors not just survive, but thrive with health, wealth, prosperity and success. Carol is a Trinidadian Canadian entrepreneur, information specialist and community activist who is committed to helping others rise above poverty and inequality.

As a non-profit organization with a social enterprise purpose that is focused on improving the lives of seniors is a vital service that makes a big difference to those who have given so much.

Carol ran as an independent candidate for Etobicoke North in the last provincial election but was not successful in her attempt to unseat the incumbent Liberal MPP.  As a mother of three daughters, who has lived and worked in Etobicoke North, she is aware of many of the crucial issues that seniors face considering that over 18 per cent of the Canadian population is older than 65 years old, and depression induced by loneliness contributes significantly to the diminishing of their quality of life and reduction in their emotional and psychological wellbeing.

Buddy Services offers a wide range of services to seniors, which include: medical escorts, overnight stay, housekeeping, laundry, cooking, activities like going on walks, and escort for family gatherings. In addition, it has added new services such as: grief counselling, restorative care, buddy meal-kit and concierge. The areas that are covered by the services include Durham Region, Toronto, Peel Region and Halton Region.

On Saturday May 13^th, 2023, Buddy Services Centre for Seniors held its Royal Tea fundraising event. In the promotional press release Carol states, “We are proud to be hosting the Royal Tea fundraising event, and welcome members of the media to attend and share this important occasion. By highlighting our event we hope to increase awareness about social isolation and encourage more people to support this worthy cause.”

The day’s event featured a welcome address by Carol Royer, prayer by Karietha MacBaiden, and a solo trumpet performance. There was drumming by the Keith Pascal drummers who entertained the mostly female guests throughout the event with live entertainment. This charity initiative was geared to raise funds to support seniors living alone includes a silent auction featuring a range of diverse prizes. Minister Shelley Hibbert and Brenda Royer made presentations.

I spoke with Carol at the event that was held at a nice and comfortable venue in Scarborough. She was excited by the turnout of individuals who came out to support this exciting cause. She knows first-hand how important it is to provide needed services to seniors, especially as so many of them have been impacted by: rising inflation, increasing food and fuel costs, health and medical challenges as well as the COVID-19 pandemic. She expressed optimism about the expansion of in-home care services beyond the GTA into Halton Region through the delivery of: high-quality care, resources and companionship to seniors.

Carol told me of the opening of a new location at 420 Britannia Road East, Unit 108 in Mississauga near Britannia Rd and Hurontario Road. She announced it on April 12^th, and the official opening was on April 26^th. It will feature a brand-new day program geared to seniors in Mississauga for only $10 per day. It will be a safe and welcoming place for seniors to participate in fun-filled activities

Anyone interested in Buddy Services Centre for Seniors can check it out on:

Website: www.buddyservices.ca/events

Facebook: buddyservices

Twitter: @ServicesBuddy

Youtube:Buddies4life

LinkedIn: buddyservices