RVilla donates $1,500 to Kincardine hospital foundation

For the past year, the residents and staff at RVilla Retirement Living in Ripley have been fund-raising for the Kincardine and Community Health Care Foundation.

Sept. 21, they were excited to present a donation of $1,500 to foundation president Becky Fair.

The largest fund-raising contribution comes from manicures that are given to the residents bi-weekly by volunteers, says life-enrichment co-ordinator Christine Franklin. "It was a resident's idea to give donations for this service."

In December, RVilla held its annual bazaar and sold raffle tickets. "That is always a great event, and raised more than $200," said Franklin. On the May long weekend, RVilla held a barbecue for the residents of Ripley, during the village-wide yard sale. And other events, for which donations were accepted, were the Mother's Day Tea, and the Strawberry Social.

All for a grand total of $1,500 which Fair gratefully accepted, along with Bob Lock, a resident of RVilla and a member of the hospital foundation.

"Thank you very much for this," said Fair. "This is incredible. We are pleasantly surprised and we greatly appreciate this donation from all of you. This money will go toward the purchase of new diagnostic imaging equipment for the Kincardine hospital. That project will cost more than $400,000, so we have a lot of work to do. But without your support, we coudn't do this."



Virene Thompson (right) and Joyce Courtney of RVilla Retirement Living in Ripley, present a donation of $1,500 to Becky Fair, president, and Bob Lock, director, of the Kincardine and Community Health Care Foundation

Wednesday, Sept. 21, was also the inaugural dinner for the new Seniors Dining Program at RVilla.

General manager Amanda Frape said there were 10 guests attending the meal, which is scheduled for the third Wednesday of every month.

"We want to open RVilla to the community," she said, "and welcome seniors to come and enjoy a hot lunch of roast beef and mashed potatoes and fresh pie - a good home-cooked meal."

She said the cost is $8 per senior to eat the meal at RVilla, or $5 for take-out. "It's also a good excuse to come here and visit with their friends and neighbours."

Following the meal, the guests are welcome to stay and join the residents of RVilla for a presentation or entertainment.

RVilla Retirement Living is located at 22 Park St., Ripley. For more information about the Seniors Dining Program, call 519-395-0225, E-mail generalmanager@rvillaretirement.com, or check the website at www.rvillaretirement.com