The Royal Canadian Legion Courtenay Branch 17 donated $25,000 to support care for Veterans and seniors in the Comox Valley.  This donation, from funds raised through the Poppy Campaign, brings the total given by the Courtenay Legion in support of healthcare in our community, to $230,000.

This year’s donation will purchase ceiling lifts at The Views at St. Joseph’s long-term care home.  Ceiling Lifts enable the transfer of long term care residents safely, with dignity, and provide a significant source of relief to patients who suffer pain due to being highly sensitive to movements. The Views will be able to replace 8 of the 20 lifts needed, and these new lifts will then transfer to the new Views location when it is rebuilt as part of Providence Living’s vision for seniors care at the old hospital site.  This vision includes providing person-centred care in smaller households with access to nature in a village-like setting. Thus, the Courtenay Legion’s gift will help many seniors for years to come.

Legion 17 President Gary Flath and Poppy Campaign Chair Dave Bell presented the cheque to Jessica Aldred, Executive Director of the Comox Valley Healthcare Foundation.  Dave Bell, Poppy Campaign Chair proudly explained that “all of the funds donated over the years were raised through the Poppy Campaign and the Legion then directs all funds raised back to support our community”.  Over the past 23 years, donations from the Legion have supported many aspects of healthcare in the Comox Valley: Rehabilitation Services, Cardio Pulmonary Lab, Greenlight Laser for Prostate Care, Operating Room, Obstetrics, Psychiatry, Chemotherapy, Emergency and long term care at The Views.

“The Courtenay Legion’s past and current support of long-term care in our community is phenomenal and truly inspiring,” said Jane Murphy, President & CEO of Providence Living.  Bill Anglin, Comox Valley Healthcare Foundation Board President extended his deep gratitude “on behalf of so many members of our community who have benefitted from The Courtenay Legion’s decades of generosity, thank you”.

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Dave Bell, Courtenay Legion Poppy Campaign Chair
Jessica Aldred, Comox Valley Healthcare Foundation Executive Director
Gary Flath, Courtenay Legion President

Photo credits: Stella Webers, Publicity Courtenay Legion