A recent grant from the Community Foundation of the North Okanagan has been a kick-start to help make St. Andrew’s United Church in Enderby accessible for all.
Canada’s curling wheelchair athlete and Olympic champion Sonja Gaudet recently took time in her busy life to be together with representatives from the foundation to make a presentation of $5,000 towards this project. This heritage church, now more than 107 years old, is the meeting place for more than 14 organizations, but is not wheelchair-accessible. A small, but dedicated group is determined to seek to make this change.
“The sanctuary was full to standing room only for the celebration of a friend’s life who struggled to continue to be a part of the community after being diagnosed with ALS,” said Rev. Lorraine Powell. “But those who had difficulty with the stairs, walkers or wheel chairs could not participate in the coffee and visiting in the lower dining room. This was the impetus to get involved.”
For many organizations that meet in this welcoming place, including Enderby and District Community Resource Centre, the Food Bank, The Garden Club, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and MacKenzie Camp, to name just a few, accessibility is restricted.
At a recent meeting of the MacKenzie Camp board, a decision was made to help fundraise for this proposed project, which would help the whole community.
On Saturday, the board held a fundraising Irish Stew Dinner, complete with entertainment and an Irish sing-along.
This is as a way of saying “thank you” for the free meeting space and the many events held at St. Andrew’s to help children attend camp. If you would like to support this project, you can donate to MacKenzie Camp, Box 133, Armstrong, B.C., V0E 1B0, or send your donation directly to St. Andrew’s United, marked Accessibility Project.
“The committee is busy working with consultants and hope to have estimates for the project and begin the work soon,” said Powell. “We would like to say thank you to Sonja for your inspiration to make us think this is possible and to the Community Foundation for your gift and continued support for the community.”
