Fundraising Team for the new G. Tackaberry and Family Home Reaches 82% of Goal Thanks to Community Donors

ATHENS, ON – The Fundraising Team supporting the G. Tackaberry & Family Home is proud to announce that they have reached 82% of their $3 million fundraising goal, thanks to the generosity of community donors over recent months.

With $2.4 million raised to date, the Fundraising Committee for the new 192-bed home recognized 14 individuals and businesses for their collective contribution of $178,000 on April 15.

The cheque presentation event began with four major donors contributing a combined $123,000, including: Gordon & Patricia DeRoos, who donated $50,000 and will have their names proudly displayed on a dining room, living room, and resident room; a $25,000 donation from Grenville Mutual Insurance (represented by Pam Marson, Ron Greaves, and Shawn Corcoran), which grants the company naming rights to a Pedestrian Walkway; and Fred Shafsma, Peggy Mitten, Bonnie LaForty, and Gail Boynton, members of the Maple View Lodge Auxiliary, who donated $20,000 for naming rights to the Sally Port (which will bear the name “Pike’s Landing”).

The “Room to Donate” Campaign (where a $5,000 donation grants naming rights to a resident room in the new home) raised $55,000 thanks to generous contributions from: John & Mary Dancy, Sherry Reed & brother Robert Reed, Laurelle Avery, Dale Welch (Welch’s Drywall), Gary & Shirley VanDrunen, Bill Dixie (Dixie Electric), Laurelle Avery representing the Education and Employment Centre, Donna Ferguson and Ray Craig representing Christ Church Athens, Amsted Design-Build represented by Lindsay Haley, and Portland United Church representatives Connie Cochran and Duncan Pickard.

Also recognized was a $10,000 donation from the Athens Ministerial Association. Additional donors will be acknowledged at future events.

“The contributions by these individuals, families, and organizations bring us even closer to achieving our goal,” said Fundraising Chair Doug Struthers. “Every single dollar counts, and we sincerely thank everyone here today—and those who could not attend—for making this possible.”

Construction of the new home is also progressing well, currently 96% complete, with move-in expected in late summer.

“We are on track and on budget with both the building and the fundraising campaign,” said Struthers.

The redevelopment project is the largest capital construction initiative in the history of the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, with a total cost exceeding $86 million. Construction of the new three-storey, six-wing building is well underway on the Maple View Landings property in Athens, Ontario, and will replace the existing 60-bed Maple View Lodge facility upon its opening this summer. The current building will be repurposed, with options currently under review.

Warden Corinna Smith-Gatcke stated, “The generosity of our community is once again being demonstrated through these collective donations from community members and businesses.”

“The additions and quality-of-life features made possible through fundraising will enhance the lives of residents at the G. Tackaberry & Family Home,” she added. “On behalf of the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, I extend sincere appreciation to everyone involved.”

With recent contributions, the campaign total now stands at $2,478,582.

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Media inquiries:

Cathy McHugh, McHugh-COMM Marketing and Public Relations

613-341-1116 or cathymchugh@cogeco.ca