New boss at hospital foundation, new sharps kiosk, fly tying

Morning Coffee – By Aaron Hall

Weather forecast for Tuesday, October 24, 2017

A special weather statement remains in effect in Chatham-Kent.

Strong winds gusting up to 80 km/h are expected today.

Strong winds are forecast today with gusts of 60 to 80 km/h expected. The strongest gusts are likely along the shores of Lake Huron and Lake Erie.

These winds are attributed to a rapidly intensifying fall storm forecast to track near Sault Ste. Marie today. The strong winds will continue through tonight before easing Wednesday morning.

A flood watch also remains in place along the Lake Erie shore as well. More details, here.

Today – Mainly cloudy with 60 percent chance of showers. Risk of thunderstorms this afternoon. Wind southwest 30 km/h gusting to 50 increasing to 50 gusting to 80 near noon. High 12.

Tonight – Showers. Wind southwest 50 km/h gusting to 80. Low 6.

Foundation of CKHA welcomes new leader

The Foundation of Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) and its Board of Directors have announced the appointment of Mary Lou Crowley as its new Executive Director, effective November 1, 2017.

“I am thrilled to be joining the Foundation of CKHA,” Crowley said in a press release.

“It will be a privilege to support the vital role the Foundation of CKHA plays in the Chatham-Kent community. I’m eager to meet the donors, staff, volunteers and community supporters that assist in enhancing the quality of healthcare in the community.”

Crowley is a seasoned fundraising executive, with nearly 30 years of experience in the non-profit sector.

Foundation of CKHA officials say Crowley also brings a passion for healthcare and for making a difference in the community.

She has spent the past five years at United Way Elgin Middlesex in London leading their fundraising team and major giving portfolio.

Prior to joining United Way, Crowley was the President and CEO of the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia and lead the first ever capital campaign for mental health in Nova Scotia.

Crowley has also held senior fundraising positions at Hotel Dieu Hospital in Kingston and at London Health Sciences Foundation.

“Ms. Crowley is an exceptional leader with a diverse background and proven track record of success in relationship building, major campaigns and executive management,” stated Gaye Thompson, Foundation of CKHA Board Chair, in a press release.

“She is ideally suited to lead our Foundation and to help us adapt to the rapidly changing landscape of the charity sector. We are looking forward to her leadership and expertise in leading our team.”

Lori Marshall, President and CEO, Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, said hospital depends on its partners in the Foundation.

“Mary Lou brings experience, enthusiasm and a commitment to working with the community,” Marshall said in a press release.

“We look forward to working with her and the Foundation to achieve our shared goals.”

After-hours sharps disposal kiosk now available in Chatham-Kent

The Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit, in partnership with AIDS Support Chatham-Kent, will be piloting an outdoor after-hours needle disposal drop box in Chatham starting on Tuesday, October 24, 2017.

The sharp disposal kiosk is located on the property of AIDS Support Chatham-Kent at 67 Adelaide Street South and is meant for people to have the ability to safely dispose of needles and syringes 24/7.

The sharp drop box unit is securely mounted in a highly visible area on the exterior of the building and monitored 24/7 by security cameras for the protection of property and personal safety.

It includes a large chute to ensure all needles, syringes and containers are deposited without the ability to be retrieved.

“The provision of safe and secure sharps disposal units has proven effective in other communities in Ontario to reduce the number of needles discarded in public spaces,” stated Steve Pratt, Harm Reduction Program Manager with AIDS Support Chatham-Kent, in a press release.

“We applaud the initiative and are proud to be hosting the pilot of this new program in our community. We also look forward to the implementation of even more harm reduction best practices in collaboration with our community partners.”

Jordynne Lindsay, a Chatham-Kent Public Health Nurse specializing in harm reduction, believes from the research evidence that is available, the units will aid in preventing the spread of blood-borne infections, such as HIV and Hepatitis C.

“In 2016, there were 50 confirmed cases of Hepatitis C in Chatham-Kent, which is nearly double the provincial
rate,” Lindsay said in a press release.

“The year before we saw a peak of 70 cases. For the past eight years the incidence of Hepatitis C in our
community has been higher than the rest of Ontario.”

Lindsay added: “The new sharps kiosk will increase access to a safe sharps disposal option. Harm reduction is about understanding that substance use disorder is not a choice, it is a complex health concern. Through education about safe sharps disposal, we can reduce the preventable health impacts associated with drug use. Today’s announcement is an important step in helping our community to be safer, more compassionate, and healthier.”

Applications available for the Jonathan Daniel Stone Fund

Community Living Chatham-Kent has announced that the Jonathan Daniel Stone Fund is back for its’ 4th year.

This fund celebrates the life of Jonathan Daniel Stone. Daniel was a child who had autism and died suddenly at the age of 11 in May of 2013. He was a student at Indian Creek Road Public School in Chatham. Daniel loved to cook, swim and spend time with his family at the beach.

The Fund can be used to support initiatives that assist children, and their families, who have been diagnosed with autism and/or other intellectual disabilities. Daniel’s fund can be utilized for but is not limited to: recreational activities, educational workshops for parents and siblings, advocacy, vocation and life skills development, assistive devices and equipment that promote and facilitate learning or communication.

Two $1,000 awards will be presented.

Applications will be accepted from November 1, 2017 to November 30, 2017. The awards will be presented in December 2017.

Application forms can be downloaded on the Community Living Chatham-Kent website (www.clc-k.ca).

For more information contact Angela Corso, Manager of Community Relations at 519-352-1174, Ext. 232.

ID clinics in Wallaceburg on Wednesday

Chatham-Kent Public Library, in partnership with Chatham-Kent Employment and Social Services, is offering ID Clinics for anyone who needs help getting identification.

Clinics will offer individuals assistance with completing online or paper Birth Certificate applications. Those who require photo ID will gain an understanding of the purpose of photo ID and the steps they will need to take to acquire Photo ID or Health cards.

No registration is required for the ID Clinic. Individuals will be served on a first come, first serve basis. There is NO FEE to attend and financial screening will be available for those who may need assistance with payment for identification.

Free ID Clinics will be held:

– Blenheim Branch: Tuesday, October 24, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

– Wallaceburg Branch: Wednesday, October 25, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

– Chatham Branch: Monday, October 30, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

CKPL’s partnership has extended to Service Canada who invites anyone requiring a Social Insurance Number (SIN) to visit their locations for help at:

– Service Canada, 120 Wellington Street West Chatham, ON

– Service Canada, 86 Dufferin Ave, Floor 2 Wallaceburg, ON

For more information about this program, and others at Chatham-Kent Public Library, visit www.ckpl.ca or call 519-354-2940.

Photo of the day – How-To Festival in Wallaceburg

We learned how to tie flys for fly fishing at Wallaceburg Branch for the How-To Festival! pic.twitter.com/A3TRMLY8AP

— CKPL (@cklibrary) 19 October 2017