Annual Unionville Lavender fair raises awareness for Alzheimer’s facility

TORONTO- The annual fair in Unionville to raise awareness for the Alzheimer’s wing at Union Villa, a long term care facility and nursing home is a very personal event for horticulturalist Kate Seaver.

“My mother-in-law Glady’s has Alzheimer’s and she’s a resident here at Union Villa”, Seaver said.  “It was a way of giving back to them but also to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s.”

The Lavender Vintage Fair is held every year.

“Lavender, as far as I’m concerned, is the best perennial, but lavender is also a fragrance from our past,” Seaver said. “As we say lavender is the scent of half remembered things so when you’re doing a fundraiser for Alzheimer’s it’s about people who can only remember half.”

The fair has all kinds of Ontario lavender growers, and also represents the Ontario lavenders association.  The fair is put on by local volunteers where various lavender merchandise is sold.

“It’s so important not to warehouse our seniors to give people quality of life,”  Jan Vanvelzen, a volunteer, said. “It’s a great opportunity to connect with the seniors and meet people in the community.”

Debra Cooperburger, the CEO at Union Villa says the fair helps the elderly connect with their community.

“For the families it’s an opportunity for them to come and engage with the residents so that they can go out and enjoy the fair and really connect with the community,” said Cooperburger.  “The funds that are raised through this event are dedicated to the Alzheimer’s wing and to our dementia care unit.”