Ski, skate, toboggan and eat pancakes to support local seniors

NEWS RELEASE

SAULT STE MARIE, ON – The Ontario Finnish Resthome Association’s (OFRA) board of directors, is hosting a Family Fun Day in support of their Uusi Koti – A New Home Campaign.

A fundraising event for all ages, it combines outdoor activities with a traditional Finnish culinary adventure.

“Family Fun Day” will be held at OFRA’s current independent living building, Suomi Eesti Maja, 721 North Street, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday March 2nd, 2013.

Admission is $12 for adults and $8 for children (10 and under).

All proceeds go to support OFRA’s capital campaign to construct a much needed seniors independent living apartment building.

OFRA’s Family Fun Day offers something for the whole family.

Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy the outdoors and take part in a snowshoe/ski/walking tour of the OFRA grounds including a visit to the future site of the new seniors’ apartment building. 

Certain to be the highlight of the day will be the signature culinary breakfast of traditional Finnish pancakes and sausage. 

OFRA’s Family Fun Day also offers a children’s toboggan hill and skating pond, craft and bake sale tables as well as a 50/50 draw. 

So, gather your family and friends grab your toboggans, skates, snowshoes and cross-country skis and join in the fun. 

Ski and snowshoe rentals are available from Hiawatha Highlands by calling:  705-256-7258.     

The Ontario Finnish Resthome Association’s Uusi Koti – A New Home Capital Campaign has a goal to raise a minimum of $4 million to help with the estimated $16 million construction project cost of a much needed new 83 unit seniors independent living apartment building.

“New senior’s independent living buildings are a must for the Algoma district… with 20.8% of the current population 65 years of age and over, the time to act is now,” says OFRA board chair Todd Slotegraaf.  

For more information on OFRA’s Family Fun Day or how to get involved with the Uusi Koti Capital Campaign, visit the campaign website at www.uusikoticampaign.com, or call the fundraising office at 705-945-9987, Ext. 258.

About OFRA

The Ontario Finnish Resthome Association (OFRA) is a non-profit charitable organization founded in September 1971. 

It originated with a group of Finnish individuals whose goal was simple – build a home for seniors of Finnish and Estonian descent 

While OFRA continues to honour its Finnish and Estonian roots, over the past four decades, it has evolved into what could be described as a microcosm of the “Canadian Experience”. 

Today, the Ontario Finnish Resthome Association is a mosaic of diverse cultures, a retirement community offering safe and affordable homes to all seniors in the District of Algoma. 

OFRA operates under the guiding principle that each resident be provided with the best environment possible within which they are able to maintain an optimum level of functioning and maximize the quality of their daily life.

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