Friends of Residents of the Sharbot Lake Retirement Residence

Yves Sancennes is a big fan of the Sharbot Lake Retirement Residence.

The Snow Road resident encouraged his 91 year old mother-in-law, Muguette Ménard, to move to Sharbot Lake Retirement Residence (SLRR) from Sudbury, because she needed care, and it was too far for Yves and his wife Noëlla to travel every weekend.

It was a good move for everyone, even though his mother-in-law speaks french and there is only one other French speaker at SLRR.

“The food is good, and it's so clean, so it makes us happy,” he said.

There are some extras that the home cannot afford to provide, as the residence does not receive provincial funding, and its only revenue source comes from resident fees.

So, Yves, along with volunteer Angie Lee, decided to create a new group, the Friends of Residents of the Sharbot Lake Retirement Residence, in order to take on special projects.

The first project they are taking on is a big one, the purchase of an accessible van, so residents who have access issues and are often wheelchair bound, will be able to go places.

“One of the many services we are hoping to help provide is transportation for our residents to and from medical, dental, lab, and hospital appointments,” said a letter to the public from the Friends. “The cost of these services has proven to be quite a burden for the residents. As most of our residents are wheelchair or walker dependent, we are looking to raise the funds necessary to acquire a wheelchair accessible vehicle for this purpose.”

“Just the other day there was a woman who had to pay $275 to get to an appointment,” said Yves. “It is too expensive, and it keeps people from going places.”

The campaign has a goal of $60,000, and even if they are able to get a suitable van for less, money will be required for upkeep, fuel and maintenance of the vehicle.

The Friends have been approaching businesses for support and have already raised some money towards the project, thanks to some generous support.

Another way to support the project is to become a member or a “friend of a friend”. There are different levels of friendship, $100 is a base level, $500 is the gold level, and $1,000 platinum.

The first public event of the campaign is a Jingle Bell Bash dance, on November 8th, at the Oso Hall in Sharbot Lake, from 7pm to 1am. The 'Bash' will include games, basket raffles, a 50/50 draw, a cash bar and a deejay. Tickets are $15pp and $25 per couple. Contact the residence at 613-279-7799 or Yves at 613-979-1371.

“We would like to express our gratitude in advance for everyone's consideration in helping us acquire this much needed amenity for our residents,” said Yves Sancennes. “I know we all want to help out the community where we can, and this is an opportunity to do that.