Speakers’ series receives acclaim
[attach]1148[/attach]Velma Orok wanted more to do in a retirement home than play bingo or go on shopping excursions.
So six years ago, Orok and seven other residents of Christie Gardens Apartments and Care decided to form a group where they would share stories and hold discussions.
“Eventually we ran out of things to talk about,” she said. “So we decided bring in guest speakers.”
The first speaker was Carol Anderson, who wrote a Lady Eaton biography entitled Lunch with Lady Eaton: Inside the Dining Rooms of a Nation. The event was an instant success — the attendance of the usual half-dozen women rose to 220 people.
The event kick-started a new program run by Orok as well as another Christie Gardens resident Molly Christie called Let’s Discuss It.
Orok took over running the program after Christie took ill.
“It was really all Molly’s idea,” Orok said. “She wanted more programs with substance.”
The program is designed to meet the intellectual needs of the residents by providing a variety of speakers from the community, including medical experts, politicians, writers and musicians.
For her efforts, Orok recently received the Ontario Senior Achievement Award, which honours people over 65 who have made significant contributions to their communities. It is considered the province’s highest recognition for seniors.
Lt.-Gov. David Onley, and Aileen Carroll, minister responsible for seniors, presented the awards at Queen’s Park.
“Her contribution has been a valuable and significant one in the lives of those residents who have been enriched by attending (Let’s Discuss It),” Carroll said during the award ceremony.
Grace Sweatman, CEO of Christie Gardens, as well as two other managers at the retirement home nominated Orok for the award.
“She creates a buzz with each program and inspires others with her passion,” Sweatman said. “We are very privileged to share in Miss Orok’s life journey and have been enriched by her commitment to Let’s Discuss It.”
Edna Duff has been living at Christie Gardens for six years and tries to attend every event.
“She’s the mood and spirit (of the program),” Duff said of Orok. “She is interested in keeping us interested and she does a good job in doing so.”