Residents at the Riverstone Residence is Bancroft were surprised to find new arrangements of flowers decorating the retirement home after a donation from a local outreach program.
Mary’s Mission was started by Mary-Lou Robb as a way to spread “beauty, truth and goodness” into people’s lives. Shes tells the MyBancroftNow.com newsroom she dropped off the flower arrangements for the tables in the residence as well as for the dining room and the front lobby.
“They were mostly daffodils and a few carnations,” she says. “I just wanted to bring some cheer to their lives.” Robb says she didn’t think much of the donation, saying she just wanted to do something small to put a smile on their faces. Hastings Highlands Councillor Nancy Matheson says she saw to it that a card was sent to Robb signed by many of the residents of Riverstone.
“That’s what Mary Mission is all about,” Robb says. “It’s about bringing some beauty and truth and goodness into people’s lives.”
Robb says the outreach program’s primary goal is funding for five charities that she’s been connected with over the years. Canadian Food for Childen, Wells of Hope, the Pikangikum First Nation Working Group, The Switchyard, and the Bancroft Pregnancy Care Centre. “These organizations are in line with the core values of mary’s mission, which is that every human being is valuable and worthy of love without any conditions attached,” she says.
Talking about Wells for Hope, Robb says she went on a mission trip with them to Guatemala. “When you go there and look into people’s eyes and interface with them all it all becomes very real to you and you realize how blessed you are,” she says.
The flowers are the main source of fundraising dollars. Robb says they also show films that promote peace and goodness amongst human beings.
Usually, Robb says the flowers at the local farmers’ markets, but is unable to do that now due to them either being online or only allowed to sell food. Instead she’s setting up a farm stand at the end of her driveway to sell flowers and bouquet. Robb says to reach out to her through Facebook or her website for more information, like on when they’re open.
