Residents raise over 50K for local nursing homes (8 photos)

A pair of local nursing homes took part in this year’s edition of the Grand Parade, a family-friendly fundraiser walk that helps support charities who provide essential care and services for aging Canadians.

Residents, volunteers, and supporters of the Ontario Finnish Rest Home, as well as the F.J. Davey Home, each held a walk as part of the Grand Parade’s nationwide mission to support long-term care facilities and their programming.

The Finnish Rest Home had over 60 walkers, 30 volunteers, and 14 teams taking part in their first-ever walk with the Grand Parade, raising over $50,000 – doubling their original goal set earlier in the summer.

Tarja Loewen, the foundation chair and volunteer with the Finnish Rest Home, is blown away by the amount of support they’ve received through this charitable endeavour.

“We have a lot of supporters,” she says. “The residents, their families, the volunteers – it’s just been outstanding. Our sponsors came out in full force too, it’s just been phenomenal.”

One of the teams taking part today, called the ‘Funky Fingers,’ finished as one of Canada’s top fundraising teams. Led by Heidi Schell and Carol Whitfield, their team raised over $9,000 to help support the Finnish Rest Home Foundation.

Meanwhile, eight teams at the F.J. Davey Home have raised over $15,000 for its foundation according to the Grand Parade website

Following an opening ceremony, participants enjoyed a 2.5 km walk, and many have said they’re already looking forward to being part of the Grand Parade again next year.