People of Perley - Michelle Gravelle

After she retired in 2021, and with her 91-year-old mother living independently, Michelle Gravelle set her sights on giving back to her community by volunteering with seniors. She didn't have to look far: Perley Health, with its 900 senior and Veteran residents, was a 10-minute walk from home. Besides, she knew it was a vibrant place.

Her first experience with Perley Health had been to visit her uncle. During one visit for a D-Day commemoration, the family was treated to a “Calypso Night.” Guests and residents alike got up and danced. “It was an absolute riot,” Michelle says. “It was so beautiful.”

Bringing that riotous joy to residents is now one aspect of Michelle's volunteering. She recalls the Spring Concert, when the choir moved the audience with renditions of such favourites as “It's a Wonderful World,” “Over the Rainbow” and, of course, “You Are My Sunshine.”

Michelle was raised in a home full of music. Both parents sang, and her mom provided liturgical music for many years. Soon after joining the Perley Health community, Michelle turned her talents to incorporating more music into residents' lives. She added the monthly hymn sing to her ecumenical spiritual services and got involved in the choir. It inspires her.

“The first concert that I was involved in was at Christmas. When you see everybody singing, it's just so moving. We did Jingle Bells and, of course, we handed out all the all the rings, the jingles. They all started ringing those bells. My god, I teared right up. It was so moving. The joy that they're having with the choir.”

Michelle also helps in the ice cream parlour, and porters residents to their activities. She has begun working with the Perley Health Foundation, to deliver blankets as an opportunity to engage with new residents. With the Family Transition team, Michelle welcomes newcomers to the community. “That's a big day for the resident and their family,” Michelle says. “The main thing is to bring people into their room” and explain the array of activities they can enjoy. “You start asking questions. Do they want a religious service? Do they like music?”

“We get so much support from Volunteer Services,” Michelle says. ”There's such a community here at the Perley, whether it's staff, PSW workers, nurses, the recreation team, the music therapist. I've never been thanked so much in my life. Wow, what a community.”

 

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"There's such a community here at the Perley. I've never been thanked so much in my life. They care about you. They are so appreciative of all the volunteers and you feel it. I love it!” - Michelle Gravelle, Volunteer