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August 2026
By Khaye Rufin, Executive Director
Summer has been a busy and exciting time at Copper Island Health and Wellness Centre. As a community-based non-profit organization, our success is only possible because of the incredible volunteers, Board members, partners, donors, and supporters who generously give their time, talents, and resources to strengthen healthcare and wellness services in the South Shuswap. Every event, program, and service we offer is made possible through their commitment to building a healthier, more connected community.
We are especially proud to congratulate our own Sue McCrae, who was named a finalist for the Lifetime Impact Award at the inaugural Scoop Volunteer Awards. Sue’s recognition reflects not only her many years of dedicated service, but also the lasting difference that volunteers make in the lives of others every day. “I am very honoured to be a finalist in the Lifetime Impact Award. Thank you to the many community members who support South Shuswap Health Services Society and the volunteers who are the foundation that Copper Island Health and Wellness Centre was built on.” — Sue McCrae
We are pleased to welcome two new members to our team. Heather Yip has joined us as our Administrative and Program Assistant and will be working in our office Monday through Friday from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. We also welcome Chloe Dawon Jung as our Programs Assistant. We extend our sincere appreciation to our dedicated Board of Directors. Thank
you to returning members Dawn Miles, Brenda McCormick, and Sandi Reutlinger for their continued leadership. We are also excited to welcome new Board members Sue McCrae, Taegan Joyce, Rhonda Pigeau, and Taylor Morin.
Our Seniors Social Meals Program continues throughout the summer, bringing older adults together for educational luncheons and community walks in Sorrento. On July 29, we hosted a successful luncheon at Eagle Bay Hall featuring Amanda Ashley, RN, who delivered an informative and engaging presentation on heart health. A delicious lunch was catered by Blind Bay Village Grocer. We are grateful to United Way BC for providing us funding for these events. You can also find us at Music by the Bay in Blind Bay every Thursday evening throughout the summer. Stop by our booth to meet our team, learn about our programs and services, and discover ways to get involved.
Upcoming Community Events
• August 17 at 10:00 a.m. – Attend an informational session at Shuswap Lake Estates featuring Inspire Health and the Kamloops Cancer Supportive Care Society. Learn about cancer support services and resources available for individuals living with cancer, survivors, and caregivers. Everyone is welcome.
• September 24 at 11:00 a.m. – We are honoured to welcome BC Seniors Advocate Dan Levitt, who will speak at Shuswap Lake Estates about issues affecting seniors across British Columbia. If you are interested in speaking at one of our educational events or would like to support our programs through catering or other services, we would love to hear from you. Please contact us at executivedirector@sshss.ca. Registration details for our events are shared through our email mailing list, social media channels, and community bulletin boards. Email sshssprograms@gmail.com for more information.
We are also looking for passionate community members to join our Board of Directors. If you would like to help strengthen healthcare and wellness services in the South Shuswap, please email cisrcbb@gmail.com to request an Expression of Interest package. In addition, we continue to welcome inquiries from Registered Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, and Family Physicians who may be interested in providing services at Copper Island Health and Wellness Centre.
Current Services Available
• Public Health Child Health and Immunization Clinics – every fourth Monday of the month
• Mobile LifeLabs Services – Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (250-675-3661 for booking)
• Foot Care Services with Sherry Lucas, LPN –Wednesdays (250-675-3661 for booking)
• Community Integrated Services with Garnette Davidson
• Pregnancy Outreach Services with Tracy Wood through Shuswap Family Centre
• Clinical Counselling with Ella La Fleur and Carrie Kyle
As always, we extend our heartfelt thanks to our volunteers who generously help operate our centre, support our programs, and assist with community events throughout the year. Your dedication and willingness to serve make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we support. We also thank our members, donors, partners, and the entire community for your continued encouragement and support. Together, we are improving access to healthcare and wellness services and helping build a healthier South Shuswap.
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SCOOP JULY 2026
By Khaye Rufin, Executive Director
Summer is in full swing, and we hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine! Whether you’re golfing, hiking our beautiful trails, spending time on the lake, or simply relaxing with family and friends, there are plenty of opportunities to make the most of the season. Our Seniors Social Meals Program continues throughout the summer with educational luncheon events and physical activity walks in Sorrento. On June 30, we welcomed Dr. Vibeke Vaerum, who presented an engaging session on mindfulness at the White Lake Community Hall. Guests also enjoyed a delicious lunch catered by Simply Lunch Co.
Our next luncheon will be held on July 29 at Eagle Bay Hall, featuring Amanda Ashley, RN, who will present on Heart Health. We look forward to another informative and enjoyable gathering. You’ll also find us at Music by the Bay in Blind Bay every Thursday evening this summer. Be sure to stop by our booth to say hello, learn about our programs and services, and meet our team.
Looking ahead, we have several exciting community events planned:
• August 17 at 10:00 a.m. – An information session at Shuswap Lake Estates featuring Inspire Health and the Kamloops Cancer Supportive Care Society, highlighting the cancer support services and resources available to our community. This session is for all cancer patients, cancer survivors, and caregivers.
• September 24 at 11:00 a.m. – BC Seniors Advocate Dan Levitt will present at Shuswap Lake Estates on issues affecting Seniors in British Columbia. Registration information for these events will be shared through our email newsletter, social media channels, and community postings.
We are also seeking passionate individuals to join our Board of Directors. If you are interested in supporting local healthcare and helping guide our vision of bringing healthcare closer to home, please email cisrcbb@gmail.com to request an Expression of Interest form.
In addition, we continue to welcome inquiries from Registered Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, and Family Physicians who may be interested in providing services at Copper Island Health and Wellness Centre. If you would like to learn more, please contact us by email.
Current services available at Copper Island Health and Wellness Centre include:
• Public Health Child Health and Immunization Clinics – every fourth Monday of the month
• Mobile LifeLabs Services – Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
• Foot Care Services with Sherry Lucas, LPN – select Wednesdays
• Community Integrated Services with Garnette Davidson
• Pregnancy Outreach Services with Tracy Wood, Shuswap Family Centre
• Clinical Counselling with Ella LaFleur and Carrie Kyle
As always, we thank our volunteers, members, donors, partners, and community for their continued support. Together, we are improving access to healthcare and wellness services in the South Shuswap.
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SCOOP JUNE 2026
By Khaye Rufin, Executive Director
Copper Island Health and Wellness Centre is pleased to continue offering a variety of programs and services that support the health and well-being of residents throughout the South Shuswap.
Our popular monthly Seniors Educational Luncheons continue to bring community members together for learning, social connection, and wellness. Each event features guest speakers presenting on topics of interest to seniors, along with a monthly fitness activity (Seniors Walk in Sorrento Park) and a complimentary catered lunch for registered participants.
In May, we were delighted to host our luncheon at Sorrento Centre, where Jazmyn Evans of Grow & Change Horticultural Services delivered an engaging presentation on gardening, sustainable landscaping, and practical tips for creating thriving outdoor spaces. Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the event a success.
Our next Seniors Educational Luncheon will take place on June 30 at White Lake Hall. Additional details will be announced soon. To receive updates about upcoming events and programs, please email sshssprograms@gmail.com and ask to be added to our mailing list.
Beginning in June, we are pleased to welcome two new counsellors to the Centre: Ella LaFleur and Carrie Kyle. They will be providing mental health and grief support through both individual and group counselling sessions, helping to expand access to these important services within our community.
We also continue to offer one-on-one technology support for individuals who would like assistance with computers, smartphones, tablets, email, online services, and other digital tools. Improving digital literacy can help people stay connected, access services, and build confidence using technology. To arrange a session, please email cisrcbb@gmail.com.
As our organization continues to grow, we are actively seeking new Board members who are passionate about supporting local healthcare and community wellness initiatives. If you are interested in helping guide our vision of bringing healthcare closer to home, please email cisrcbb@gmail.com to request an Expression of Interest form.
Current services available at Copper Island Health and Wellness Centre include:
• Public Health Child Health and Immunization Clinics – every 4th Monday per month
• Mobile LifeLabs Services (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)
• Foot Care Services with Sherry Lucas, LPN (select Wednesdays)
• Community Integrated Services with Garnette Davidson
• Pregnancy Outreach Services with Tracy Wood, Shuswap Family Centre
We thank our community members, volunteers, partners, and supporters for helping us continue to provide accessible health and wellness services throughout the South Shuswap.
We would also like to extend our sincere gratitude to Copper Island Care for generously donating 10 raised garden boxes for seniors in our community. This contribution will help support healthy living, outdoor activity, and social connection for local seniors.
SCOOP MAY 2026
Copper Island Health and Wellness Centre
By Khaye Rufin
With the arrival of spring comes a season of growth, and at the Copper Island Health and Wellness Centre we are pleased to share several new and expanded services for our community. We are excited to welcome a Pregnancy Outreach Worker from the Shuswap Family Resource Centre. The Pregnancy Outreach Program is a free support service for pregnant individuals and families with young infants. The program focuses on perinatal and infant health and well-being, offering education, one-to-one support, and connections to community resources in an inclusive and welcoming environment. To book an appointment, please contact Tracy Wood, Pregnancy Outreach Worker, at (250) 832-2170 ext. 219 or by email at Tracy_wood@familyresource.bc.ca.
We are also pleased to announce that we have secured two years of funding through United Way BC to host monthly Seniors Luncheons. These events will feature guest speakers delivering educational sessions, as well as fitness activities, followed by a complimentary catered lunch for registered participants. Our first luncheon of the fiscal year was held at Shuswap Lake Estates, where trained responders from South Shuswap First Responders shared valuable information on emergency preparedness.
In May, we will host a seniors’ group walk in Sorrento led by instructors from JDY Fitness, followed by lunch at Zandunga Tacos. We will also hold an educational luncheon on May 26 at Sorrento Centre, featuring Jazmyn Evans from Grow & Change Horticultural Services. We look forward to welcoming additional guest speakers throughout the year and hosting events at various locations across the South Shuswap. For more information about our Seniors Luncheons, please email sshssprograms@gmail.com.
Beginning in June, we will welcome new counsellors who will offer mental health and grief support through individual and group sessions. We will also continue to provide one-on-one technology support to help improve digital literacy for those who need it. Please email cisrcbb@gmail.com for one-on-one computing help.
In addition, we are delighted to continue offering free JDY Fitness Workshops, funded through the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program. These weekly sessions provide a fun, safe, and social environment for participants. The low-impact classes are designed for older adults and individuals seeking a gentle form of exercise, incorporating seated or chair-supported movements. Each session includes a mix of strength training, low-impact cardio, balance and fall prevention exercises, stretching, and brain-engaging activities—helping participants build strength, confidence, and overall well-being.
At this time, we are actively seeking new board members. If you are interested in supporting our vision of bringing healthcare closer to home, please email cisrcbb@gmail.com to request an expression of interest form.
We would also like to extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who attended, donated to, and sponsored our Spring Dance and Auction Fundraiser. Thanks to your generosity, we raised nearly $7,000 to support the ongoing operations of our centre.
Our Annual General Meeting will be held on June 17 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The location will be announced soon, please stay tuned for further details.