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'Amazing' St. Andrew's volunteer recognized for his dedication to residents and staff
Ross Murdock, who volunteers at the home up to five times a week, was presented with the Volunteer Recognition Award
5/15/2024
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Deron Hamel
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St. Andrew's Terrace volunteer Ross Murdock is pictured here receiving S&R's 2023 Volunteer Recognition Award.
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From assisting with activities at St. Andrew's Terrace to helping new life enrichment team members learn how to run the much-loved bingo program, the time volunteer Ross Murdock spends at the Cambridge, Ont. long-term care community goes a long way supporting residents and staff, say those who work alongside him.
For his dedication to those who live and work at St. Andrew's Terrace, Ross received Steeves & Rozema's 2023 Volunteer Recognition Award.
St. Andrew's Terrace life enrichment manager Sara Byma, one of the team members who nominated Ross for the award, describes Ross as an “amazing” volunteer who is at the home four to five times a week making an important difference to residents and staff.
“Ross is so reliable. We can always count on him to help with pub night, euchre, bingo and any special event,” Sara says. “He even helps new life enrichment staff learn how to run the bingo, ensuring consistency for our residents.”
Sara says because Ross is so familiar with residents' bingo preferences, he shares his knowledge with life enrichment team members and this helps maintain consistency when he's not there.
“Many of our residents thrive on routine and Ross helps maintain routine,” she says. “When new life enrichment team members start, I am glad Ross is there to coach them along.”
Ross is also on hand for the many special events St. Andrew's Terrace hosts throughout each year, such as the strawberry social in summer and the Christmas bazaar, Sara says.
An important value-add Ross brings as a volunteer is his ability to encourage residents to participate in activities, she notes.
“He knows the residents well,” Sara says of Ross. “He knows their names and where they like to sit, and how many bingo cards they play and what bingo chips they use. He knows what level of assistance they require. ... He is a good encourager, taking the time to invite and help residents get to and from programs.”
Other St. Andrew's Terrace team members agree.
“Ross knows the residents and helps transport them back and forth,” says Mary Ann Rozad. “He seeks them out in their home area. I always say, 'Ross is volunteer of the year.' ”
Julie Renforth says: “(Ross) always shows up eager to help out. (He) goes over and above to help people out (and) takes the time to talk to the residents and tend to their needs.”
The Volunteer Recognition Award recognizes people who volunteer their time to help make Steeves & Rozema long-term care and senior living communities better places for team members to work and better places for residents to live.
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