A Message of Hope & Optimism

March 2, 2022

We almost can’t believe we are entering another year where pandemic restrictions are a central part of our lives; yet, here we are!

While we’ve all experienced or witnessed challenges and struggles over the last year, we are determined to send a positive note because there truly is so much to be grateful for and so many reasons for hope and optimism. Here at Bonny Lea Farm, we had some extraordinary successes this past year.  Here is just a glimpse:

  • Staff who continue to show up for participants in so many beautiful and meaningful ways – emotionally, physically and mentally.
  • Participant outings (when they could) including enjoying music and community at Picnic in the Park, ice cream cones at The Deck, picnic lunches in various communities and parks along the South Shore, spending time with horses at a few special staff members’ homes, walks at Graves Island, and Special Olympic Swimming.
  • Participants reaching goals – ranging from baking muffins and trying a new work crew to going for walks and singing karoake.
  • In-house activities resuming and day program re-opening. Participants were happy to get back to work and share our products with our customers. Some of our local contracts include being back at Gow’s Home Hardware with our kindling and preparing cutlery packages for a number of restaurants.*
  • Participants achieving 100% vaccination and hosting a vaccine clinic for participants at other disability support organizations.
  • Community providing record attendance and funds raised by our Annual Benefit Golf Tournament and Drive-Thru Lobster Fundraiser! Thank you to all of the staff, volunteers and participants who help to organize and run this event.
  • Experiencing our first ever Smile Cookie week hosted by the team at the Mahone Bay Tim Hortons. The participants loved the opportunity to serve customers and thank them for buying smile cookies!
  • Installing our new automatic generator for 7 of our residences, as well as some new appliances and furniture, funded through donations.
  • Welcoming our new Executive Director, one new participant, two new Board members and several new staff. All of whom seem to be settling in quite well!

We look forward to more to come in 2022. We are grateful that you are on this journey with us.

– Your friends at Bonny Lea Farm