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Westmount Gardens celebrates team members at appreciation gala
Staff enjoy an evening of food, music, dancing and recognition
9/2/2026
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Deron Hamel
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Westmount Gardens team members are pictured here at a recent appreciation gala the home hosted at Wonderland Gardens.
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Westmount Gardens team members were treated to an appreciation gala that brought the London, Ont. long-term care community's staff together for an evening of food, music and fun.
The event, which was organized by Westmount Gardens' management team and social committee, was held at nearby Wonderland Gardens, an outdoor dance hall that dates back to the 1930s.
“(It was) an amazing event, and it was all hands on deck with the managers and the social committee,” Adnan Resh, Westmount Gardens' life enrichment manager, tells S&R Today.
Social committee members, including Angella Bennett, Westmount's resident clinical co-ordinator, and team members Annie and Leslie, transformed the venue for the occasion. From making sure the lighting was right to finding a deejay to ensuring the table centrepieces were perfect, “the whole team did a wonderful job,” Adnan says.
Dietary manager Cheryl Speers “did magically with the food,” Adnan says, adding that the meal included chicken, meatballs, four types of salads, fresh fruit and dessert.
“The food was amazing and all freshly made at the home and then brought over,” Adnan says.
The event also provided an opportunity to recognize Westmount Gardens team members celebrating five and 10 years of service. Clinical managers recognized nursing staff reaching the milestones, while Adnan celebrated a life enrichment team member's five-year anniversary.
Adnan was also recognized for his 10 years of service with Westmount Gardens.
All managers who presented spoke about the team members being honoured before presenting them with gifts they had selected through the home's recognition program.
The gala also featured music and prize giveaways, while mocktails and non-alcoholic beer were served as refreshments and team members made full use of the outdoor dance floor.
Adnan says the atmosphere remained lively throughout the evening, with almost everyone in attendance eventually getting up to dance.
“At one point, I saw a big circle of staff dancing and staff going in the middle showing off extra dance moves,” he says. “Laughter and joy throughout the night and also amazing weather.”
Angella says she's grateful to have been part of the evening.
“It was wonderful to see staff come together outdoors on a beautiful summer night, enjoying great food, music, laughter and dancing in a fun and welcoming atmosphere,” she says.
“One of my favourite parts was seeing so many people on the dance floor, celebrating and simply enjoying each other's company.”
Angella says the work involved in organizing the gala was well worth it.
“Planning and organizing events like this takes a lot of work, but when everything comes together and brings so much joy to others, it feels amazing,” she says.
If you have a story you would like to share with S&R Today, please contact the newsroom at deronhamel(at)gmail.com.
If you have feedback on this story, please contact the newsroom at deronhamel(at)gmail.com.
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