Over 200 Valentine's Day cards made by Bradford’s Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) staff were delivered to the Bradford LOFT House on Friday afternoon along with a couple boxes of free Tim Horton’s coffee and Timbits for residents and staff.
“We wanted to continue our community involvement and with Valentine’s [Day] coming up, [we] decided to send some love from the RBC Bradford Team to residents and staff at the LOFT,” shared Francine Grenon, customer service representative at the RBC in Bradford.
Grenon enlisted the help of local youth and some of RBC staff members' children who happily joined in making handmade cards for the LOFT stafd. The children “worked very hard” going above and beyond, making some special heart-shaped wreaths.
“The response was overwhelming as [the children] were excited to be included,” said Grenon.
“It was a group effort,” adds Jamie Cleaver, Bradford RBC’s branch manager who hand delivered all the cards and wreaths to the Bradford LOFT house Friday afternoon.
Cleaver was joined by RBC’s assistant branch manager Jacki Kerr who delivered the boxes of coffee and donuts.
“It’s a nice treat for them," said Carolyn Donaldson, program director at Bradford LOFT House. "They’ve been so good about wearing their masks and not going out so that we don’t have any cases, so it’s nice when we’re able to bring in other stuff for them.”
To date the Bradford LOFT has not had a single case of COVID and continues to work within health guidelines as per COVID regulations.
This is RBC’s second donation to the Bradford LOFT after making an initial ‘coffee and Timbits' delivery for the staff last summer.
South Simcoe Police Officer Elisbeth Auschwanden also dropped off Valentine’s Day cards at the LOFT on Thursday and Linda's Floral Designs delivered carnations for staff and residents.
“It was a complete surprise," says Donaldson. “Bradford’s an amazing community!”
Donaldson says clients will receive a big ‘special occasion’ dinner on Valentine’s Day and will have crafts and a BINGO game over the weekend organized by the LOFT’s Life Enrichment Worker – Karen.
Continued needs at the Bradford LOFT House include personal hygiene care items for residents such as shampoos, soaps, toothpaste, and clothing.
“There are special Valentine cupids that we are grateful for in joining us to spread the heartfelt love we share in our community,” shares Grenon.
To learn more about the Bradford LOFT House or to make a donation, visit: Home - LOFT Community Services (loftcs.org)
