Greatful for Lunch with the Bunch Program

I wanted to write and tell you how very grateful I am that “Lunch With the Bunch” exists.

My mom passed away August 29, 2007. Not only have I experienced the grief of losing my best friend, but I have also been thrown into a world of being my father’s primary care giver. My only sibling lives in Pennsylvania with her family. Any doctor will tell you, as one told me, that the percentage of losing the second parent shortly after the death of a spouse is quite high due to grief and loneliness.

Lunch With the Bunch has provided my father with companionship, laughter, fun and certainly something great to look forward to every Monday; and for this, I am grateful to you and to God for putting you and this community service in my life. My father suffers from Parkinson’s and so he is not permitted to drive, he is also on a fixed income, which prohibits costly cab fares on a regular basis. Dad does use Handi-Dart and has cab savers, which I am also extremely grateful for.

The volunteer service of picking dad up and dropping him home is equally appreciated. I realize what a labor of love it is for those involved, especially with the soaring gasoline prices of late. My dad lives with my fiancé and myself and although I do drive dad many places myself, it is impossible for me to do so on a regular basis due to work.

Providing for aging parents is something most of us will have in common, and to say that this role is one of the toughest roles in life would be an understatement. The responsibility can be overwhelming at times. Your program gives hope, support and assurance that our aging loved ones will not be forgotten in this youth oriented world. You also give busy and stressed out caregivers such as myself a helping hand. It is impossible for me alone to supply all the fun and ‘outings’ for my father. Not all elderly people have the financial resources to look forward to a trip to Mexico every year.

I see the joy however and twinkle in my dad’s eyes looking forward to going to Lunch with the Bunch every Monday.

Thank you to Abbotsford Community Services for this wonderful program.

Gratefully and Respectfully Yours