81-year-old Carveth Retirement Lodge resident helps local food bank
Bernadette Mulvenna isn’t sitting idle in retirement.
Thin and spry, the friendly 81-year-old Gananoque woman volunteers three mornings a week at a local food bank near the retirement home where she has lived for the past four months.
And as Thanksgiving approaches, Bernadette says her volunteer work is one of the many things that reminds her just how much she has to be grateful for.
“I like living here because it’s in town and I can walk to a lot of places. I also like that I can come and go as I want,” says the mother of two, who lives at Carveth Retirement Lodge, a family-owned and operated retirement community in the heart of Gananoque.
Bernadette is known for keeping busy. Between regular trips to Kingston to visit friends and lively family get-togethers, she is rarely one to sit still for long.
“I help at the local food bank on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings,” she says. “I like it because you meet a lot of different people. When you see people use the food bank, it makes you appreciate how lucky you are.”
Bernadette often arrives early, helping to stock shelves and prepare food for those who rely on the service. She is impressed by the food bank’s organization and the dedication of the volunteers who keep it running.
“They’re very good,” she says with an approving nod.
While others may describe Bernadette as remarkable, she doesn’t see herself that way.
“My older sister is turning 90 on November 1 and she’s still going,” she says with a smile. “I have another sister in the long-term care home here.”
For Bernadette, staying active is simply part of who she is.
“I get bored, so I have to be out and doing stuff,” she admits.
On the day she spoke about her busy schedule, Bernadette was looking forward to having lunch with her sister and helping her work on a puzzle.
And with Thanksgiving just days away, she was also looking forward to spending time with the people who matter most.
“This coming weekend, I’ll be giving thanks with my family for all of our blessings,” she says.
For Bernadette, those blessings are found not only around the Thanksgiving table, but also in the simple moments of everyday life — staying active, spending time with family and friends, and having the opportunity to give back to her community.
Speaking on behalf of the home, Administrator Brett Gibson notes, “Carveth Retirement Lodge is grateful for the many ways its residents continue to give back to the community, from volunteering their time to knitting mittens for local children. Their kindness and generosity are a wonderful reminder that there is always an opportunity to make a difference, no matter your age.”
To learn more about living or working at Carveth Retirement Lodge, please call 613-382-4752.
