History of Senior VIP Community Support Services

Senior V.I.P. Community Support Services is a charitable, non-profit organization, partially funded by the Ministry of Health & Long Term Care. Donations are gratefully accepted, and a tax receipt for donations will be issued.

Volunteer Centre of Sarnia-Lambton - recruits and places over 300 volunteers (seniors and non-seniors alike) in numerous member community agencies to perform various duties.

Home Maintenance/Snowbusters & Lawnbusters/Handy Helpers Program - for those requiring both outdoor and indoor home maintenance services, including washing floors and walls, vacuuming, snow removal, leaf clearing, eavestrough cleaning, minor painting jobs, lawn and garden care and minor repairs. Applicable fees for service.

Trades Registry - seniors can call for names of reputable tradespeople to do minor home repairs.

Senior V.I.P. Centre - located at Bayside Mall and staffed entirely by Senior V.I.P. volunteers, seniors can stop in for conversation, cards, coffee and tea.

Information Directory - Senior V.I.P. publishes a directory of useful and frequently used telephone numbers which is distributed free of charge to seniors in Lambton County.

Community Calendar - Senior V.I.P. publishes a monthly calendar which outlines monthly community, recreational and entertainment events, and is distributed free of charge throughout the City of Sarnia and the County of Lambton.

Income Tax Clinics - Senior V.I.P. holds free Income Tax Clinics for seniors with low incomes. Income tax returns are completed for theseee seniors by trained Senior V.I.P. volunteers.

Fundraising - Senior V.I.P. fundraises 30% of its budget. Fundraising activities include: bingos, raffles, bus trips, and other special events such as a tea and bake sale, Christmas gift wrapping, fashion shows and euchre tournaments. Corporate and individual donations also contribute to our fundraising efforts.

Sarnia-Lambton Community Transportation Alliance - Senior V.I.P. is a member of the Sarnia-Lambton Community Transportation Alliance. This Alliance, consisting of the City of Sarnia (Sarnia Transit), the County of Lambton (Senior Services Department), Lambton Elderly Outreach, Lambton Seniors Association, TransCare, Canadian Red Cross Society, Ambulance Services, Kidney Foundation, and Chatham Coach Lines, has developed a referral system for seniors and the disabled in Lambton County who require transportation.

Information Sarnia Lambton - Senior V.I.P. is a partner in Information Sarnia Lambton, which offers a database on community services in Sarnia Lambton via the Internet at www.informsarnialambton.org Senior V.I.P. volunteers assist in updating information.

Caregiver Support Program

Caregiver Support Volunteer In-Home Respite Program - a program for caregivers caring for a loved one, whereby trained volunteers go into the home and stay with the care receiver in order that the caregiver can leave the home or go about necessary other business.

Caregiver Support Hospital to Home Program - a program for caregivers and/or families whereby trained volunteers stay at the home of a patient discharged from hospital until family, friends or home care services arrive.
Caregiver Support Groups - sessions held for caregivers to discuss issues of mutual concern.