Feature Article July 31, 2002
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Meadowbrook Elevator Fund - Going Up!by Wilma KennySylvia Smith of Tichborne won an $18,000 Chevy Cavalier at the seniors apartments BBQ in Sydenham Saturday evening. Her ticket, purchased earlier that afternoon, was drawn by Katie Abbott. Katie is a young lady who has made the news more than once for her own personal campaign to help raise enough money to put an elevator in the Meadowbrook Seniors apartments. The last basket of pennies she brought in totaled over $19.
"Why didnt they have the sense to install an elevator when the building was first constructed?" is a question many people have asked. "They" are the board of the Loughborough Housing Association, a private non-profit group which owns and administers two apartment buildings in Sydenham, providing both low market rent and rent-geared-to-income for seniors. Fortunately the question is as easily answered as it is asked.
When the 25-unit Meadowbrook was built in the early 80s, with funding from both the federal and provincial governments, neither level of government would approve the money necessary for an elevator or lift. They felt that a two-storey walk-up would be adequate for independent-living seniors. (Funding did provide for two ground-floor units to be adapted for wheelchair access.) The Loughborough Housing Association board knew that an elevator would become necessary, and managed to have an elevator shaft built into the building by stacking storage rooms, but they have never been able to persuade either government level to help pay for an elevator. Over the years, the provincial government has had a number of programs to help individuals and charitable groups improve accessibility of buildings. This type of housing, however, is not a charity, therefore grants and donations available to groups with tax numbers are denied.
When the 30-unit, 3-storey Maple Ridge Apartment was built next door to Meadowbrook a few years later, the funding formula had changed, and permission was granted for an elevator, but both levels of government remained unwilling to fund one for Meadowbrook.. Meanwhile, the dozen or more residents upstairs at the Meadowbrook have remained disadvantaged, sometimes severely, by lack of easy access.
Residents have held bake sales, yard sales and quilt raffles, and managed to raise some money. Then, a couple of years ago, a group of residents began more high-powered fund-raising. Chaired by John Kleyngeld, they invited community members to join their committee. They encouraged groups such as the Loughborough Firemen, Storrington Lions and Sydenham Legion to host fund-raising dinners and events. Many other community groups and individuals contributed cash.
Saturdays BBQ was combination fundraiser and community party, with music and clowns. Jo-Jo gave pony rides and painted faces while Choctaw entertained the supper line. Percy Snider, Phil Leonard and Ken Gilpin took 68 pies in the face, and managed to come up smiling. (Percy and Ken even came back for a second go-round after supper!)
Late Saturday night, Housing Administrator Sandra Weston announced that the elevator fund now has $30,000 in the bank. Still not enough, but definitely well on the way up.
