Volunteer / Donor Appreciation Event:

Bonny Lea Farm’s Annual Donor and Volunteer Appreciation was held on Wednesday, April 27th, 2011.  The following awards were presented:

Donor of the Year- Ms. Wendy Black
Event Volunteers of the Year- Sandy and Wayne Zwicker
Participant Volunteer of the Year- Whitman Giffin
Business Supporter of the Year- Sure Courier (Norm Countway)
Sponsor of the Year- The Municipal Group of Companies

Lori Davis and Peter Parsons provided wonderful musical entertainment.  Rose Deveau spoke about how her life changed since coming to Bonny Lea Farm. “I don’t honestly know where I’d be without Bonny Lea Farm.  My life was very unsettled until I came here in 1982.  Now I have a stable home and a great place to work.”

Our Board Chair Kevin Healy had this to say about all associated with Bonny Lea Farm.  “Some of the kindest people that I have met are the employees and volunteers of Bonny Lea Farm.  This is not a coincidence.  These are the people who are willing to dedicate their time or pursue their career to making the world a better place. Our success depends upon our members and the support of our community.  We respect each member of our team, our partners, the people we serve, and everyone we interact with by recognizing the diversity in each individual talents, skills, and contributions to our success.”

Norm Countway shared a story about meeting Rose for the first time and how when he was growing up that the participants would come and purchase their treats from his family’s general store that was in operation many years ago.  

Family member Alison Austin gave a heartfelt speech about what Bonny Lea Farm means to her and more importantly to her sister Debbie who attends our program.  “Debbie is proud to be a participant at Bonny Lea Farm.  Everyone here is important to her.  The caring of Bonny Lea staff was never more evident than when I had to call Debbie to let her know that our beloved mother had passed away.  Debbie was provided with grief counselling.  A minister came in to speak with Debbie and she got through this sad time better than my siblings and I.  I am very proud to talk about Bonny Lea Farm to anyone who is interested.  I could not do as good a job in looking after my sister than this organization.”

Chester Municipal Councillor for District 7 Sharon Cornelius Church reminded us of Bonny Lea’s reliance on volunteers.  “Just imagine what life at Bonny Lea Farm would be like without volunteers.  Bonny Lea would be a whole lot different without the contributions of volunteers.  A quote by Mother Theresa which I believe sums up what it is to be a volunteer.”  “It is not how much you do, but how much love you put in the doing.”

Bonny Lea Farm’s Managing Director spoke about the role Bonny Lea Farm plays in the community. “A place of safety and caring for people with disabilities, one of the municipalities’ larger employers, purchaser of many supplies and services , home to 33 men and women plus 10 who attend the vocational program, sponsor of the Chester Career Resource Centre and Community Wheels.  Your support of the work that we do here at Bonny Lea makes this all possible.

                     



Wake Up To Summer Breakfast & Plant Sale:   

Our Breakfast & Plant Sale was held on Saturday, June 11th, 2011.  Once again the greenhouse was overflowing with beautiful hanging baskets, annuals, and fresh herb plants that sold as soon as the doors opened at 8:00 a.m.  As always, products from The Herb Garden, which specializes in herbal oils and vinegars sold to regular customers who have enjoyed the products for years.  The Bake Table was filled to the brim by wonderful volunteers who provided the goodies.  The breakfast once again proved to be very popular serving over 150 people and will certainly become a regular part of the Annual Plant Sale.  Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 9th, 2012 and come enjoy our delicious hearty breakfast and plant sale.



 Lobster Supper 2011:

Once again we were blessed with a beautiful sunny day which made for a pleasant dining experience.  Hundreds of people (our loyal donors, volunteers, and passersbys) feased on lobsters generously donated by Clearwater Find Foods Inc.  Our steak alternative was also very popular.  

Our sincere thank you to ur additional sponsors:  MIO Companies, Municipal Group of Companies, Cabot Shipping Ltd., Sure Courier, Haley and Associates and Farmers Dairy.  

Thank you to our many volunteers and staff who deserve much recognition for making this event run smoothly.  
Chef de Mission - Jane Rafuse
Kitchen Supervisor - Wade Davis and team
Inside Dining Captain - Tara Ennis-Beals and team
Outside Dining Captain - Teresa Flinn and team
Take out Captain - Sandy Zwicker and team
Barbeque Captain - Bruce Flinn and team
Lobster Cracking Captain - Kevin Healy and team
Ticket Captain - Rachel Martin and Kathy Harnish
Lobster Managers - Phillippe Degraeve, Bruce Ford
Waste Management Captain - Stacey MacDonald and team
Telephone Captain - Trish Connors and team
Raffle Ticket Captain - John Biebesheimer
Traffic Controller - Floyd Thompson
Guide - Joanne Delong
Gym Decorator - Pat Bates
Outside Entertainers- Anne Theriault and band
Inside Entertainers - Malcolm Boutilier and band
Honourable Mention to:  Doug Spafford, Sandra Meisner

Next year's tickets will go on sale by June 1st, 2012.  Check the website for updates.  Contact Jane Rafuse at 275 - 5622 or jrafuse@bonnyleafarm.ca.



Annual Golf Tournament:    

Bonny Lea Farm’s 19^th Annual Golf Tournament was a huge success.  Thirty-six teams raised $30,000.00.  Jack Flemming, founder of Ocean Contractors and Honourary Bonny Lea Farm Board Member, and his excellent team of family, friends and employees organized this wonderful fundraiser.  Thank you to our Main Sponsor - Scotia Bank and to all the following contributors:   

Arrow Construction Products                     BellAliant                                              Michelin

Boyne Clarke                                           Conrad Brother Ltd.                               Scotia Private Client Group    

East Coast International                            Bond & Coolen Contracting Ltd.             Scotia MacLeod

RST Industries Ltd.                                   Quality Concrete                                  Thompson's Moving Group 

Cleves Sporting Goods                              Jack and Company Ltd.                         Atlantic Tractors and Equipment

MathResources Inc.                                 Ocean Contractors Ltd.                         Elmsdale Landscaping Ltd

Shaw Group Ltd.                                      Volvo Canada                                      Nova Communication

Basin Contracting Ltd.                              O'Regan's Lexus                                  Black and MacDonald Ltd.

O'Regan's Lexus                                      Trans East Trailers Ltd.                        Tim Hortons

Bluewave Energy                                      Luedey Consultants Inc.                      Pinnacle Agencies Ltd.

Edmonds Lanscaping                               Cleves Sporting Goods                         Manulife Financial 

Eastern Fence Erectors Ltd.                      Wilson Equipment                              Roynat                 Holcim

MacDonald Pontiac Buick GMC Cadillac Ltd                                                      MacKay's Truck and Trailer Centre Ltd.                          

                                                                            

   Jack Flemming, 2011 Golf Tournament Organizer (right) and teams of volunteers.