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Sunday the tea room

The Kiwanis tea room at Willows Beach bustles with activity Sunday mornings – all in the name of community
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David and Fiona Sudbury enjoy breakfast at the tea room on opening day. Fiona is the manager of the Kiwanis Pavilion.



A lot of familiar faces were waiting for the first breakfast of the season at the Kiwanis Willows Beach.

“There’s a lot of returning people. We opened at quarter to 9 and there were people waiting,” says co-ordinator Janet Morningstar.

But judging by the numbers, more than a few newcomers pulled up a seat as well.

Tea room volunteers served 90 customers Jan. 8, and based on past years, the numbers will only get better. The record number served was 110 around late February last year, and they hope to beat that this year.

“It’s starting to become a tradition for a lot of people. Once people come, they want to return,” Morningstar says.

This is the fifth year for winter Sunday breakfasts at the Kiwanis Tea Room, serving guests from 9 a.m. to noon.

With breakfasts cooked and served by volunteers, Kiwanis sends all proceeds to the 122-bed Kiwanis Pavilion Foundation to improve patient amenities at the complex care facility, where care costs $212 per person per day. The pavilion is owned and operated by the Oak Bay Kiwanis Health Care Society – the Kiwanis Club of Oak Bay wearing a different hat.

Winter breakfasts are a main fundraiser for the pavilion, raising about $10,000 a year for everything from beds and furniture to patient lifts and benches for the Rose Terrace.

“Nine of the 18 (breakfast) volunteers are members of Oak Bay Kiwanis and nine are Kiwanis Pavilion staff, Health Board members or friends of Kiwanis,” says Morningstar, whose own Kiwanian roots reach back to the first day  she happened upon the tearoom breakfasts as a new Oak Bay resident.

“It’s so much fun for us to do,” she says, noting more volunteers are always welcome.

“It’s really an opportunity to provide a service, to connect with people in the community and let people know what we’re all about.”

All ages are welcome, with colouring provided for children. Choose from two $10 menus, either pancakes or French toast with maple syrup, or eggs (scrambled, poached or fried), ham or bacon, hash browns and toast Both include juice and coffee, tea or hot chocolate.

Sending even more profits to the pavilion, eggs for the breakfast are donated by Galey Morning Fresh Eggs.

Breakfasts continue Sundays from 9 a.m. to noon to April 9 and cash or debit are accepted.

“Bring someone new each time you come to spread the word,” Morningstar says, adding, “if people see a line-up, it moves quickly.”

By the numbers

Oak Bay Kiwanis has served the community since 1946.

The tea room at Willows Beach was built in 1949.

Today, 18 volunteers provide 448 hours to the winter Sunday breakfasts. More community volunteers are always welcome. To volunteer or learn more, mailto:morningstar123@gmail.com.

Kiwanis Pavilion wish list:

• Four specialized mattresses to reduce the formation of pressure ulcers, at a cost of approximately $2,500 per mattress.

• a bladder scanner, used to assess urinary function in a non-invasive manner, at a cost of $12,000.

• two bathing lift chairs for $12,000 each

• two shower chairs with reclining and height-adjustable features to ensure safety for residents and staff assisting them, at a cost of $10,000 each

• continued replacement of resident care furnishings with a focus on dining room furnishings and reclining chairs at a cost of $50,000.

• replacement stove and dishwasher for the Activity Room, for $2,500.