TRURO - Victorian Order of Nurses representatives had a lot to celebrate in Truro on Tuesday.
The VON hosted an open house at its new location behind the Atlantic Superstore off of Prince Street. It had previously been located on Duke Street for about 10 years, but outgrew the space.
About 50 people attended the open house, which included a ribbon cutting, cake and a plaque presentation in memory of Lower Truro's Violet Large who died from cancer last July.
The event also provided the opportunity to educate the public on everything the organization offers, said Dawn MacKinnon, VON's district executive director.
"When people think of the VON they think about nurses only but we are more than that," MacKinnon said, referring to the VON's foot care clinic, transportation services, adult day programming, Vial of Life and a medical alert program.
MacKinnon said the VON has about 900 clients and having a new facility has numerous benefits to them as well as staff.
"In the old place we were split into two areas and now we are under one area which is better ... and clients can learn about other programs," said MacKinnon.
Truro's Jean Skinner volunteers with the VON's foot care clinic and said the service is invaluable to the community.
"It's really important because if the VON wasn't here some would not be able to stay in their homes and some would be without programs," said Skinner, a 15-year volunteer who has a nursing background.
The Colchester East Hants branch of the VON opened in the late 1890s and currently employs about 300 staff members, including nurses, home support workers and office employees.
