Local senior turns art project into fundraiser for Diabetes Canada

CENTRE WELLINGTON – Wellington Terrace Long-Term Care Home resident Reta Allan has turned a creative art project into a fundraiser for Diabetes Canada.

The rock snake currently lives at the Terrace near the front entrance and continues to grow everyday.

Allan had heard of the idea from “somewhere else in town” and thought “why don’t we do our own snake,” she told the Advertiser.

The snake is made out of approximately 50 rocks residents have painted throughout the summer.

Each is hand painted and sealed with two coats of a finisher to survive the outdoor elements.

“I made the head and a couple pieces for it and then we ... invited the residents and their families,” Allan said. “We’ve got some neat ones.”

The rocks are to be sold for $1 during the home’s residents council week from Sept. 15 to 21.

“Every year during the residents council week we raise money for some charity organization,” she explained.

The council is a group of residents who are active in the community, hosted by each member of department of staff.

“I would have loved to seen a whole lot more but everybody isn’t capable of it,” Allan said.

“Looking at the length of it I’d say we had a fairly good response.”

Last year Allan’s rocks raised around $260.

Asked if she has always had a passion for arts she replied, “I don’t know if you can call it a passion but I’m down here (art room) everyday.”

“A lot of residents refer to this room as Reta’s art room,” terrace recreation therapist Megan Versteeg said during the interview.

Versteeg told Allan how the snake rock has “rippled through neighbourhoods” inside and out of the home.

She also noticed the “obsession of adding to the snake” among the other residents during one-on-one time.

“I think you’re creative spark has moved through the building in a way that you’re not aware of,” Versteeg said.

“I’ve been painting rocks all summer.”

Resident Joan Schnell took part in growing the snake and “I thought it was wonderful,” she said.

“The rocks were just booming [and] every time you’d look at the snake it’s longer,” Schnell added.

Not typically a craft person but she found joy in participating.

The rocks will be on display from Sept. 15 to 21 at 474 Charles Allan Way in Centre Wellington.