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Gordon Denford Receives Governors Lifetime Achievement Award
 On April 28, 2010 at the Empress Hotel in front of family, close friends and a sold out crowd, Gordon Denford was awarded the Victoria Chamber of Commerce’s Governors’ Lifetime Achievement Award for his many business accomplishments and volunteer community development efforts in the Victoria community. Bob Skene, Chamber Board of Governors (seen left in the picture with Gordon Denford) was quoted to say that “Gordon has been a consummate community leader and volunteer… who has set an incredible example for others to follow.”
Photo (Bob Skene left, Gordon Denford right) courtesy of Victoria Chamber of Commerce
Berwicks get BCSLA Seal
 The British Columbia Seniors Living Association (BCSLA) launched its Seal of Approval program in January 2010, which assesses their member communities for the highest quality of standards within the Senior Living Communities.
On February 4, 2010, Berwick Royal Oak and Berwick Comox Valley were awarded their Seal of Approval. Berwick House received their Seal on March 2, 2010, Berwick on the Lake received theirs on March 4, 2010 and Berwick on the Park received theirs on April 12, 2010.
Pictured are (left to right): Patricia Towne, VP Administration Berwick Retirement Communities, Chris Denford, VP Development Berwick Retirement Communities, Donna Rutten, Administrator Berwick Royal Oak, Jackie Holt, Administrator, Berwick Comox Valley, Gordon Denford, President and CEO Berwick Retirement Communities
 To obtain the BCSLA Seal of Approval, the community must complete both an internal self-assessment and an independent external review. Successful communities meet multiple criteria in five areas: safety measures, infection control, staff training, resident services, and assisted living supports. The Seal of Approval identifies those residences that are committed to providing service standards of Excellence, Integrity, Leadership and True Passion for senior residents of today and tomorrow. For additional information about the BCSLA Seal of Approval, please contact BCSLA at 604-689-5949 or visit their website at www.bcsla.ca.
 Berwick Comox Valley – Chamber Award Winner
Jackie Holt, Administrator and management staff attended the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce Award Gala on January 30, 2010 to accept the Chamber award for New Business of the Year, an award given to businesses who have only been in business for less than 4 years and who have achieved a quality standard in business excellence and community involvement. Berwick Comox Valley won easily with its commitment to providing exceptional service to its residents by the friendly and community involved staff.
Pictured (from left to right): Matt McDonald, Executive Chef; Janel Hooker, Office Administrative Assistant; Chris Murphy, Maintenance Manager; Laura Raycraft, Care Coordinator; Lisa Moorhead, Recreation Manager; Cathy Taylor, Housekeeping Manager; Letecia Bond, Housekeeping Supervisor; Britta Newmann, Dining Room Supervisor; Linda Rutherford, Marketing Manager; and Jackie Holt, Administrator.
Zambia School Sponsorship
 Since 2007, Berwick Retirement Communities has been donating funds for school construction and provided school supplies to the Zambia Mission Fund Canada, Victoria, BC, a non-profit organization committed to enabling children the opportunity of an education.
In 2009, the fundraising efforts targeted the sponsorship of students. The cost per student per month is $40 or $480 a year. Berwick is pleased to sponsor 11 students from their fund raising efforts. Each Berwick site raised funds through a variety of fund raising initiatives, such as silent auctions, book sales, and a spirited “sports day”. An additional three students are being sponsored by individual Berwick residents.
The students’ stories are sadly similar: one student was unable to attend school last year because he had to care for his ill father. Sadly, his father passed away and so he is now very committed to attending school this year. Another student has blind parent who were unable to generate the funds for him to attend school. This sponsorship has allowed him to proceed to grade 10.
The residents and staff of each Berwick are truly generous global neighbours.
 Berwick On the Park – Service Provider of the Year!
At the 24th annual gala at Thompson Rivers University Grand Hall on Saturday, October 17th the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce awarded 15 star awards to the winners of the 2009 Business Excellence Awards. A record number of 329 nominations were received for 213 local businesses. The gala showcased businesses and business leaders in the community. Berwick on the Park was honoured to be named 2009's Service Provider of the Year (10+ Employees). Administrator, Donna Lessard, Marketing Manager, Bev Graham and Dining Room Supervisor, Christy Barrie were all happy to accept the award on behalf of all of the Berwick on the Park staff.
Berwick House – 20 Years Young!
 Berwick House retirement residence celebrated their twenty year anniversary with owners Gordon and Chris Denford, residents and staff. An elegant dinner took place October 15th, 2009 followed by an Open House inviting former staff, family and the community. In addition, five original staff members were honoured for their twenty years of tremendous dedication. The community was decorated with pictures and videos compiled over the past twenty years. The Chef flambéed canapés; a beautiful three tiered anniversary cake was cut and residents, staff and guests were delighted to see all the familiar faces from the past. Happy Birthday to our original Berwick House.
Berwick House 20 year staff: (left to right)
Top: Margot Wallace, Doug Webb, Katrina Glass, Rhonda Volk (not present)
Bottom: Chris Denford, Patricia Towne, Gordon Denford
 North Island College Bursary.
We are pleased to announce that this year’s recipient of the Berwick Retirement Communities Bursary is Aalysia Colyn. Aalysia graduated from the Practical Nursing Program at the North Island College; She has shown extreme care and compassion while working with seniors.
Laura Raycraft, Care Coordinator of Berwick Comox Valley, presented the award to Aalysia on June 2, 2009 at the ADSS Auditorium in Port Alberni. Berwick wishes Aalysia all the best in her exciting new career.
 CFAX HONOURS GORDON DENFORD AS BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR.
April 29, 2009 the C-FAX Community Awards were presented by TELUS Victoria Community Board. Owner of Berwick Retirement Communities Gordon Denford was presented with BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR – “an individual who has shown leadership in the area of business and through activities outside of business, which benefit the community.” This year's winners were honoured at a special luncheon at The Westin Bear Mountain Victoria Golf Resort & Spa.
THE NEWEST BERWICK WINS SENIORS HOUSING EXCELLENCE AWARD
 The 17th annual Greater Victoria Commercial Building Awards took place on November 28, 2008 at the Delta Ocean Point Resort. 31 commercial developments were reviewed by a panel of 7 judges. Berwick Royal Oak was honoured with the Senior Housing excellence Award and Gordon and Chris Denford accepted the award.
The winning buildings were chosen by how they complemented and enhanced the architectural heritage of the Capital Region, as well as their sensitivity to the neighbourhood and the needs of those who work in them.
BERWICK COMOX VALLEY WINS 2008 EXCELLENCE AWARD!
 Jackie Holt, Administrator of Berwick Comox Valley was delighted to accept the 2008 Award of Excellence in the category of Community Senior Housing. On April 17th at the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board gala diner the awards were presented to a sold out crowd of 200 people. This was the first annual Commercial Building Awards and Berwick was absolutely honoured to be nominated. Jay Cousins, the real estate board’s commercial division chair was noted saying: “As a Commercial Division, we really wanted to find a way to come together and recognize and honour the best in commercial building north of the Malahat on Vancouver Island” The awards were presented at the Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa in Parksville.
Picture of Jackie Holt (left), Administrator of Berwick Comox Valley accepting the award.
BERWICK HOUSE AWARDED BUSINESS OF THE YEAR (25-75 EMPLOYEES)
 April 16, 2008 the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce hosted the Greater Victoria Business Awards at the Fairmont Empress Crystal Ballroom. Mangers and staff of Berwick House accompanied owners Gordon and Chris Denford and VP of Administration Patricia Towne to this successful gala event. The energy was high when it was announced that Berwick House won their category in Business of the Year (25-75 employees.) This was the first time Berwick House was honoured with this prestigious award. Over 300 business leaders were present at the dinner and 14 categories were awarded. Berwick House is approaching their 20th year of business next year!
Congratulations Berwick House!
from left to right): Ana Dyson, Cec Issel, Tilly Freeman, Louise Dixon, Michael St. Clair, Barb Hawes, Gordon Denford, Patricia Towne, Chris Denford
Winners! 2007 Business Excellence Awards
Berwick House - Finalist for 2007 Business of the Year. On January 31, Berwick House received an award as the Finalist in the category ofBusiness of the Year (Over 50 Employees.)This was presented at the eighth annual Business  Excellence Awards Gala put on by the Business Examiner (BE).
Last year Berwick Retirement Communities was the finalist in this same category. The BE announced that the list of nominations this year far exceeded last year and therefore, Berwick House’s finalist position is an outstanding achievement!
Denford Construction Management Ltd. was the grand winner in the category of Business of the Year - Construction and Development. This award recognises their construction efforts of Berwick Royal Oak.
Rick Quatsch, Chris Denford, Michael St. Clair
The Latest Berwick Royal  Oak Updates
If you’ve driven past 4680 Elk Lake Drive, you would see the finishing details are underway of our newest Berwick Retirement Community.
Berwick Royal Oak’s Presentation Centre is now open and the reaction is extraordinary; our building is 40% reserved! Visiting seniors are very pleased with our suite sizes as well as the wide range of amenities offered at Berwick Royal Oak. Although the building isn’t open to the public, seniors are personally guided through our Presentation Boards; our Marketing Coordinators give a detailed description of each level of the building. Our boards showcase the amenity spaces, gardens, walkways, water features and individual suite layouts. These presentations have motivated seniors to start signing up early.
After all, it is not often you can choose your own suite layout, location and view!
Please join us Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between 10am and 4pm and have a look at our Award Winning building!
(in photo) - Jessica Stigant, Donna Rutten, Jillian Lawrence
Introducing Donna Rutten - Our new Berwick Royal Oak Administrator 
We are very pleased to announce the addition of Donna Rutten. Donna will be joining the Berwick Royal Oak team as our new Administrator. Donna is well known to the Senior Retirement Industry and has played a key role in the management of several communities within Victoria. For the past year and a half Donna has been the Executive Director of the British Columbia Retirement Communities Association and brings 25 years of experience working directly with seniors. She has a wonderful, caring leadership approach and is the perfect addition to the Berwick Family.
Welcome Donna!
The Howard Family in Uganda – Volunteering with ACTS
 Berwick Retirement Communities has contributed funds towards the Howard Family’s volunteer efforts in Eastern Africa. Jeff and Tara Howard flew into Uganda in September along with their three children; they are working with the organization, African Community Technical Services (ACTS). For the next 11 months Jeff will be investigating, planning, designing and assisting with the construction of rural water supply projects in Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda. If you would like to read about the Howard’s volunteer efforts and the adventures they are experiencing please click below for their linked newsletters.
Volume 1
Volume 2
Volume 3
Berwick Comox Valley: Winner of Two Gold 2007 CARE Awards
 Berwick Comox Valley is honored to be the winner of two Gold 2007 CARE Awards of Vancouver Island, (Construction Achievements and Renovations of Excellence.) The winning categories are Best Outdoor Living Space and Best Assisted Living (retirement community.) Along with winning Gold, Comox Valley also received the Silver Award in both of these categories as well as Project of the Year and Best Mixed Use. Along with Berwick Comox Valley, many other businesses from all over Vancouver Island participated in this prestigious home building competition. We are thrilled to be recognized for our latest Berwick Retirement Community. To read more information regarding the CARE awards, as well as more pictures of Berwick Comox Valley, please visit: http://www.careawards.com
Progress with the Berwick School
 As a result of the donation made by Berwick Retirement Communities, a school for orphaned children is underway. This Zambia Mission Fund project, is being organized by Victoria business associate Steve Mann and his wife Joan. The current photo of the school was taken in late August. We can now see, on the completed portion of the building, the pre-school and the sewing room. The church and three classrooms are still in construction. This building is located at “Seven Fountains Mission,” near to the town of Kalomo. It is our hope Berwick School will provide hundreds of children with opportunity for education. It will also help seniors, left to care for children orphaned by the AIDS epidemic, by taking some pressure off of them and giving their grandchildren a chance at a better future.
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We are pleased to share on January 25th, 2007 Berwick Retirement Communities took home two Vancouver Island Business Excellence Awards. Owners, Gordon and Chris Denford accepted the Crystal Award (1st Place) for Business of the Year in the category of Construction and Development recognizing all four Berwick properties, and First Runner-Up, Business of the Year (50+ Employees) for their business practices and high level of service delivered by their staff. Companies from all over the Island were evaluated by a panel of esteemed judges in the business community; we feel especially honored to have been selected in two categories.
On February 21st, 2007 Gordon and Chris Denford presented two amounts to North Island College. A cheque for $15,000 for an endowment fund which will be awarded in perpetuity based on interest generated, and a $500 cash award to help a student graduate. The award has been created to help full-time students graduating from the Practical Nursing Program. Each year it will be awarded to a student who has excelled academically, and demonstrated care and compassion with seniors. ¨Berwick Comox Valley is a wonderful addition to the region and the Denford´s generosity to the College is a testament to their community support and their commitment to caring for our seniors” says Dr. Lou Dryden, President of North Island College. This years student bursary recipient, Siobhan Taylor of Port Hardy, is furthering her education in gerontology at McMaster University. On behalf of Berwick Retirement Communities we wish her all the best with her future accomplishments.
