Community displays appreciation for Country Village staff

by Sylene Argent Country Village Homes in the Woodslee area has been the long-term care facility in the region that has been hit the hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic. To show support to the residents and the staff members who are employed there, many individuals took part in a motorcade last Friday afternoon that lasted around 20-minutes. Members of the community were urged to take part in the event via social media invites. Those who participated in the appreciation event, did so from the safety of their vehicles. Some of the participants honked and waved as they passed by some of the workers who came out of the building to enjoy the procession. Participants also hung signs with words of support for the healthcare workers to see, while others used the opportunity to send a greeting to a relative who lives inside. Janet Carriere, Executive Director of Country Village, said the event was, “Over the top uplifting.” When she first heard about the event, she thought there may be 10 cars at the most, but she was overwhelmed with the long procession that ended up coming out to show support. The outpouring of support was elevating, which is something the staff members there needed. Dealing with the outbreak of COVID-19 at Country Village has been difficult, Carriere  said, but the staff members love the residents they care for, which has kept the residents positive and in good spirits. “There’s a lot of good stuff going on, lots of activities for the residents,” she said. Carriere hopes the recent focus on frontline healthcare staff continues after the pandemic is over. She said the virus was a hard way to get the attention PSWs and other nursing staff personnel need to do the work they do every day. These workers are so important, she said, and she hopes the government and agencies take look at potentially expanding the nursing envelop that funds long-term care essential workers.