Another successful Grand Parade Walk at Ontario Finnish Resthome (OFRA) was held on September 20. We were blessed with good weather for the walkers coming together in support of OFRA. This is the fourth year that OFRA has taken part in the Grand Parade walk that is held across the country in support of seniors.
Why do we walk?
Walkers walk to support senior community living, offering the seniors safe, supportive living. Sault Ste. Marie and OFRA are small communities compared to the many larger communities taking part in the walk across Canada. However, our community has always been supportive of donations and volunteerism.
This year’s campaign, OFRA is raising funds to purchase new furnishings for the Kotitalo (KOT) Assistive Living dining area. The new furniture will create a more comfortable and accessible space where our residents can gather, dine, and connect. These furnishing upgrades will include supportive dining chairs and updated, inviting seating for shared spaces. There is no government funding for the furnishings, so OFRA needs to reach out to the kindness of the community to raise funds to replace the dated and well-used furnishings. This year’s campaign goal was $65,000, and OFRA has reached 71% at $46,554. Donations are still being accepted until the end of October. To donate to this worthy cause, go to thegrandparade.org/location/saultstemarie for more information.
OFRA is thankful for the kindness of the sponsors who provide donations and volunteers at the walk. This year’s lead sponsor was MediSystem Pharmacy. We had many Rest Stop sponsors who provided refreshments, snacks, and prizes. At the end of the walk, each walker went home with a gift bag. YNCU Credit Union provided the photo booth capturing walkers’ smiles, and MGP Architects and Engineering sponsored the “Tree of Love & Life Legacy” for walkers to post names of their loved ones in memory.
We had special guests to start our walk — the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25, with Pierre Breckenridge, President, providing opening remarks and noting that both organizations care for and support the aging population. Richard Pihlaja, a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, was in attendance supporting his father Warren, who is a resident at Mauno Kaihla Koti, the long-term care home at OFRA. The Legion’s marching band led us off on our walk.
After the walk, the Ladies Auxiliary provided delicious sandwiches, coffee, and pulla. The Ladies also had a bake sale table where the baking was snapped up quickly. We also are thankful to the Ontario Finnish Resthome Foundation staff who do all the work organizing the event.
Ontario Finnish Resthome is thankful for the walkers, volunteers, sponsors, and, with much gratitude, the donations received. Kiitos / Thank you.
