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We are writing to you, our valued Community members, to give you an update on LCFT’s response to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak.
In light of recent direction from the Ontario and Federal government and in support of the efforts of our public health partners to break the chain of transmission of COVID-19, we have made the decision to postpone all future LCFT cultural programs for 2020 until further notice.
Dear Raghuvanshis, Community Members, Family and Friends,
The LCFT Committee has been monitoring the rapidly evolving situation to ensure the health and safety of our community which is our top priority at this time. We have further decided to postpone the Bhajans which were due to take place on April 18th, 2020, as well as the other events until further notice.
This is a trying period for us all, but it is rather especially difficult for the elderly and those living alone. The self isolation, social distancing can have serious affects for everyone but know that it is even more difficult for seniors and the vulnerable. In this case, we ask you to check up on the elderly members of the community, our neighbours, friends, people who are sick or in self isolation, and those that may be in some sort of distress or just plain lonely. Pick up the phone and call them, FaceTime them and if you are healthy, symptom free and mobile then maybe walk up to their door and say hello while maintaining a safe distance if required. Over the last few days, we have heard and witnessed Canadians throughout the country supporting one another, and that can be us as well.
As you are aware with our recent communication about changes to the Funeral Services, we have received some very good feedback and a few inquiries on the community assistance support. Therefore, the LCFT team has created a temporary seva committee of volunteers that will be available to the community for assistance during these times.
The “Good Samaritan Lohana Seva Committee” will comprise of the following volunteers/sevaks:
Anuj Dhrona (East Toronto) (647-292-0703) – (Co-Lead)
Suresh Thakrar (905-279-8483) – (Co-Lead)
Dr. Vipin Mithia (905-507-0976) – (Lead, Dental)
Dr. Subodh Kanani (416-564-0779) – (Lead, Medical)
Dr. Damini Mehta (416-798-4671) – (Medical)
Dr. Kirit Thakker (416 801 0558) – (Medical)
Mehul Panchmatia (416 624 3889) – (Pharmacist)
Deval Chandarana (East Toronto) – (905-924-3060)
Sahil Radia (Downtown) – (647-226-9508)
Hetal Kara (North Toronto) – (416-568-1180)
Sejal Thakrar (communications, enquiries, feedback by email only) lohanacanadaseva@gmail.com
The committee will endeavor our best to assist as required with:
Food, medicine, grocery assistance: Again, subject to Public Health constraints the volunteers can assist with obtaining and arranging delivery of food, meals, groceries, medicines (only pick up/delivery, no prescriptions).
Medical/Dental Guidance: Our medical/dental professionals can assist with specific questions related to COVID-19. This will be a telephone only seva (no house or office visits). Please refrain from calling regarding general readily available information or emergencies.
If you think you may have the COVID-19 coronavirus symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has it,to avoid spreading the virus, please immediately follow the current guideline instructions (issued by Ontario government) and contact Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-000 and visit the following link: https://www.ontario.ca/page/ 2019-novel-coronavirus-covid- 19-self-assessment
For other urgent and immediate medical emergencies, please call 911 or go to your closest Hospital Emergency department.
Financial Assistance Need: The Federal, Provincial and Municipal governments have announced or are in process of announcing many individual and small business financial assistance programs. Please visit the following link for more details:
https://www.canada.ca/en/ department-finance/news/2020/ 03/canadas-covid-19-economic- response-plan-support-for- canadians-and-businesses.html
If there is a critical financial need, please contact us and we will try our best to assist. In a request for critical financial needs, the Seva Committee will confidentially explore a request from a community member for financial assistance. Please note this will be a self-funding initiative. As such the Committee’s ability to assist is also subject to our ability to fund it.
Note:  Any/all requests from community members will be strictly confidential; names and information will not be shared with anyone, except with the volunteers involved in the specific seva.
If any member of the community would like to volunteer or assist with any other service including financial assistance where required, please don’t hesitate to contact the LCFT Seva Committee or send the Committee an email at the confidential email lohanacanadaseva@gmail.com. Again, note that ALL information will be held in strict confidential manner.
**This initiative has been implemented with good intentions reflective of the critical situation in the country.
Please take care, stay safe & God bless,
Good Samaritan Lohana Seva Committee
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