People of Perley - Chloe Allaham

Volunteer Chloe Allaham particularly appreciates the personal connections she makes with Veteran residents at Perley Health. Her grandfather served overseas during the Second World War.

“I spend Friday afternoons in the Rideau building with Veterans, usually playing cards and chess,” says Chloe. “There's a lot of friendly competition and we have a lot of laughs. It's always an amazingly fun time and I've definitely become a much better chess player!” 

Chloe's relationship with the Perley began when she received a direct-mail piece from Perley Health Foundation.

“The direct-mail piece told the story of a Veteran living at the Perley and it really just spoke to me,” she says. “After I donated, the Foundation invited me to its Strawberry Social, held on-site. During the event, I felt a real sense of community and was impressed with this beautiful place. Ever since, I've volunteered in a variety of roles.”

One of these roles involves helping with lunch service twice a week. During the pandemic, Chloe also volunteered on the Foundation's Answering the Call Campaign, which raised more than $10 million. Once the visitation restrictions eased, she immediately resumed her face-to-face visits.

“I tell all the Veterans I spend time with about my grandfather and I think that helps establish a deeper connection,” she says. “We'll often talk about the photos and mementos displayed in the glass cases outside their rooms. I feel very honoured when somebody opens up to me about their experiences and their history.”

One experience Chloe won't soon forget involves two Veteran residents who reconnected at Perley Health. It began when a long-time resident learned that a new arrival was someone he had last seen more than 70 years ago, at a course the two had completed together. 

“And one day I was playing chess with the new resident and the existing resident came up and said: ‘Bob, I feel like I'm in search and rescue all over again. You're the hardest man to find in the whole building.' And now they're rekindling their friendship.”

Chloe promotes Perley Health on social media and in the community. 

“What makes Perley Health so special is the sense of community,” she says. “As soon as you spend time here and you get to know the residents and staff, you feel an overwhelming sense of care, community and compassion. I love the feeling I get when I contribute to that as a volunteer.”

 

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"I think the secret about Perley Health that makes it so special is the sense of community. As soon as you spend time here and you get to know the residents, get to know the staff, there's just an overwhelming sense of care, community, compassion and it really comes out in your experience day-to-day.” - Chloe Allaham, Volunteer