Celebrating Milestones with Hazel with art by Revera seniors
Birthday and anniversary card art sent to Canadians created at long term care and retirement homes
News Releases
MISSISAUGA, September 16, 2021 – This year Revera’s Chief Elder Officer Hazel McCallion is extending the celebrations of her 100th birthday through a nationwide card campaign celebrating milestone birthdays and anniversaries of older adults. Two artists and Revera residents, Bev M. of British Columbia and Thelma V. of Ontario were selected to have their original artwork featured on the celebratory cards.
Celebrating Milestones with Hazel invites Canadians to join Hazel in redefining aging. Canadians can nominate a loved one who is celebrating a five-year milestone birthday starting at age 90 or partners who are celebrating 50, 60, 70 or 75 years together to receive a card signed by Hazel.
A vibrant painting by Bev, a resident at The Dorchester Retirement Residence in Kelowna, British Columbia, is featured on Hazel’s anniversary card. A lifelong artist, Bev was inspired by her grandmother whose walls were filled with watercolours of places she had lived.
“I was stunned to have the staff at The Dorchester knock on my door to share my artwork had been selected to be included on Hazel’s card. My work wasn’t just for fun; someone was moved by it,” said Bev. “All my life my shelves were filled with colouring books of all kinds, crayons and papers to create from. There were so many things going on in my life I had to put pictures on paper.”
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A beautiful painting of a hummingbird by Thelma, a resident at Dover Cliffs Long Term Care Home in Port Dover, Ontario was selected to be featured on Hazel’s birthday card. Thelma began her career as an artist 40 years ago, learning to draw, paint and design cards.
“When I heard that Hazel McCallion had picked my picture I said, ‘holy crow, what goes around comes around.’ Years ago, as a young parent with two girls, I heard Hazel on the radio. She was sensible and had a strong voice, and I liked her comments. She was an example to me. I thought ‘look at her, she’s a woman making her way. It looks like women are going to be able to do something.’ I always thought I had some common sense and if she can do it, maybe my girls can do it too. And they did. I had a positive feeling because of her,” said Thelma.
Bev and Thelma continue their love of painting at home in their retirement and long term care homes. Revera residents are encouraged to explore their creativity through recreation programs and in art studios in residence. Revera’s recreation programs are informed by the Six Dimensions of Wellness, a holistic approach to health and wellness that features physical, social, intellectual, emotional, spiritual and community engagement for seniors.
“My best advice to new artists is to laugh over your attempts, even the ones you think should go into the wastebasket, and try again and again,” said Bev.
Thelma offered similar encouragement: “Go to the store and buy three to four tubes of good paint, paper and brushes and get going. If you really want to paint, you will paint. Painting will never let you be alone. You’ll look at it and think ‘I’ll leave that for a while’ but you won’t because something beautiful will always come into your mind.”
To join Hazel in sending a congratulatory card to celebrate a loved one’s milestone birthday or anniversary, visit Celebrating Milestones with Hazel.
About Revera
Revera is a leading Canadian-owned and -headquartered, owner, investor, developer and operator in the senior living sector. Through its portfolio of partnerships, Revera owns or operates more than 500 properties across Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom serving more than 55,000 seniors.
The company offers seniors’ apartments, independent living, assisted living, memory care, and long term care. With approximately 50,000 employees dedicated to providing exceptional care and service, Revera is helping seniors live life to the fullest. Through Age is More, Revera is committed to challenging ageism, the company’s social cause of choice. In Canada, Revera is proud to operate retirement residences and long term care homes from coast to coast. You can find Revera in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador. Find out more at ReveraLiving.com, Facebook.com/ReveraInc
For further information please contact:
Larry Roberts
Revera Inc.
289-997-5721
Larry.Roberts@reveraliving.com