For a quarter of a century, Richmond Care Home has stood apart as a model of what dementia care can look like when designed around the needs of residents rather than economies of scale. Built on research showing that small, home-like environments promote dignity, comfort, and independence, Richmond Care Home became one of the only such homes in Ontario that focused on women living with dementia.

The vision for Richmond Care Home began with John and Lillian Bosco, who opened its doors on September 5, 2000. John, a longtime social worker and dementia care manager, was inspired by international research showing how the impact of dementia can be lessened when the person with it lived in a retirement home that resembled an actual home rather than something more institutional. John and Lillian brought this idea to life in Richmond, creating a purpose-built home for just 16 women — small by design, and intentionally different from the larger retirement residences that were beginning to add “memory care wings” at the time.

With dementia rates rapidly increasing, memory care homes have become more common in our communities; unlike more institutional models, Richmond Care Home was built to feel like a real home. “The home is designed around common spaces that bring people together,” says John. Being on one floor with an open concept centred on the kitchen and access to a private garden, residents are able to transition from their homes to care more seamlessly.

“Dementia is a growing issue among seniors, especially women. We know that when dealing with dementia care, having people live in an environment that resembles a home reduces stress and confusion and yields the best results for them,” said Steve Perry, President & CEO of Carefor.

Now operated by Carefor Health & Community Services, a not-for-profit with over 125 years of providing care in Ottawa and region, Richmond Care Home continues to embody the Boscos’ original vision. For 25 years it has provided families with a compassionate alternative to large-scale care, showing that intimacy, familiarity, and respect can transform the experience of living with dementia. 

To mark this milestone, Carefor invites the community to join a 25th Anniversary Open House at Richmond Care Home on Sunday, September 28th from 1:00pm – 3:00pm. Guests will have the opportunity to tour the residence, meet staff and experience firsthand the environment that has made Richmond a trusted name in dementia care for a generation.

The Richmond Care Home is located at 27 Nixon Farm Drive in Richmond, Ontario. If you would like additional information, please send an email to: info@carefor.ca. Should you wish to attend the Open House, please RSVP at: www.carefor.ca/anniversary.

About Carefor:
Carefor Richmond Care Home is operated by Carefor Health & Community Services, a not-for-profit organization that has been caring for Ottawa’s most vulnerable since 1897. As the founding chapter of the Victorian Order of Nurses, Carefor continues to provide home and community support, nursing, and residential care throughout Eastern Ontario.

Cornwall Chaos returned for its fourth year with two full days of heavy music at the Benson Centre on August 16 and 17, raising funds once again for Carefor Hospice Cornwall. The festival featured 26 bands-13 each day-along with local vendors like Peace Machine Tattoo, Odd Posh, Cosmo Den, and Parrot Tee Apparel. Since its inception, the event has donated over $10,000 to hospice care.

“This was the biggest year yet,” said event organizer Ryan O’Neil. “It takes over 100 hours just in prep work and a dozen volunteers to make it all happen, but the support from the community has been overwhelming.”

Despite heavy metal’s reputation for aggression, Cornwall Chaos broke the stereotype by creating a fun, family-friendly environment where children played with Nerf guns alongside musicians-for just $10, youth could even shoot at the performers during sets.

Don’t Tell Sarah headlined on Saturday, while TruthTeller headlined Sunday night. TruthTeller frontman Jeffrey Newton praised the event: “Ryan is a shining light in the music community here in Cornwall and wouldn’t be happier to be a part of such a professional festival.”

With a strong mix of local and out-of-town bands, hundreds in attendance, and over $10,000 raised in the first three years-with the 2025 total still to be announced-O’Neil is already looking ahead to year five.

SEAWAY NEWS

Cornwall Chaos returned for its fourth year at the Benson Centre, raising funds for Carefor Hospice. Organizer Ryan O’Neil led the festival featuring 26 bands, local vendors, and family-friendly fun for the community.

SEAWAY NEWS

Ottawa metal band Feed After Midnite delivered a high-energy set at Cornwall Chaos, showcasing their heavy riffs and stage presence. The band was among 26 acts that performed during the two-day festival in support of Carefor Hospice Cornwall.

The town of Petawawa currently offers a community transportation service in partnership with Carefor Health and Community Services.

By  Hazel Atkins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter North Renfrew TimesThe town of Petawawa currently offers a community transportation service in partnership with Carefor Health and Community Services.

This serves the vulnerable sector only: seniors, those with disabilities, low-income residents, vulnerable youth, and members of Indigenous communities.

In late November 2024, Petawawa council became aware of a program called the Rural Transit Solutions Fund (within the Canada Public Transit Fund), which provides grants of up to $50,000 in support of transit planning for new or expanded transit options.

Council approved a request to apply for funding to hire a consultant to look into the feasibility of expanding Petawawa’s current community transportation service to the community at large using a different service provider.

In March, Petawawa staff received word from the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities that their grant application for funding had been approved.

On August 25, council finally passed a bylaw authorizing the mayor and clerk to receive funding from the Rural Transit Solutions Fund and begin the project, which has a predicted end date of June 2027.

The municipality of North Grenville has an on-demand transit model, and Petawawa council is particularly interested in exploring something similar now that the funding is in place.

Pembroke has also recently launched an on-demand transit system.

Council proposes to use its $50,000 grant for planning and design, and will contribute a further $15,000 toward the execution of the project. 

JASON SETNYK

The community is mourning the passing of Sandy Collette, the first Fundraising Coordinator for Carefor Hospice Cornwall, whose work over nearly 15 years helped ensure the facility’s existence and ongoing impact.

From the Hospice’s founding in 2009 until her retirement in late 2023, Collette was at the heart of its fundraising efforts, raising more than $7 million to support palliative care in Cornwall and area. She played a key role in the capital campaign that built the hospice and continued to secure vital yearly contributions. At her retirement, she said she felt good knowing they had met their fundraising goal that year.

A social media post from Hospice noted: “Sandy was a community link to hospice, working tirelessly as a champion for not only hospice but also the families who benefitted from it. A candle has been lit today in her honour.”

Gabriel Rivière-Reid, who worked alongside her at the YourTV Hospice Marathon, reflected: “Sandy’s spirit is in every brick of hospice… She was the small but mighty force that helped ensure over a half a million dollars was raised yearly for palliative care in our community. They don’t make many like Sandy Collette, and our community and our lives were better for her having been a part of them.”

Trevor Eggleton, Carefor’s Director of Marketing, Communications & Fundraising, once described her as someone who “worked diligently with the community” and built countless relationships, both through Hospice and her earlier work with the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

A lifelong Cornwall resident, Collette will be remembered for her remarkable fundraising achievements and also for her kindness, determination, and the lasting difference she made in the lives of so many.

JASON SETNYK

The Seaway Valley Riders hit the road on August 9 for their 8th Annual Motorcycle & Car Charity Ride, raising funds for Carefor Hospice Cornwall. Riders gathered at 1207 Second Street West before setting off at 10:30 a.m. for a scenic trip with stops in Alexandria and at Sol De Acapulco, returning for a free BBQ, live music from Dad Rock, prize draws, and a charity auction.

“This is our eighth year doing this,” said event president and organizer Mike Dagenais. “Just a bunch of friends getting together… we decided to pick a charity, and hospice was the logical one.”

The ride, supported by numerous sponsors, is part of year-round fundraising efforts that have brought in over $188,000 since its inception. “Everybody knows someone that’s went through the doors of hospice… when you know that, you know the care they get,” Dagenais added.

Anthony Dixon

Published Aug 21, 2025  •  Last updated 14 hours ago  •  3 minute read

The Ottawa Valley Community Foundation recently announced the distribution of more than $94,300 in funding to 28 community service organizations, clubs, and individuals across the region through its annual grants program.

The Foundation supported a number of major fundraising efforts last year, including the Jason Blaine Charitable Concert, which crossed the $1 million raised milestone in 2024, as well as the Krista Johnson Memorial Run and the 100 Women campaign. Together, those events raised more than $210,000 for local charities. The Foundation also partnered with the Friends of the Regional Pool Committee to support efforts to rebuild the outer structure of Pembroke’s Kinsmen Pool.

Funding highlights

Through the General Fund, several organizations received support, including:

• First Step Options Pregnancy Resource Centre – $5,000
• St. Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation – $5,000
• Petawawa Heritage Society – $4,450
• Carefor Health & Community Services – $1,700
• The Grind Pembroke – $3,850

Also receiving funds were Bernadette McCann House that received $4,000 which will be used to directly assist clients; Community Living Upper Ottawa Valley that received $4,000 for its Outcome Fund; and Carefor Pembroke that received $2,000 which will go towards supporting seniors.

The Bereavement Fund supported:

• St. Francis Xavier Cemetery – $750
• Madawaska Valley Hospice Palliative Care – $750

The new Sport 4 All Fund provided significant assistance to young athletes and sports organizations. Thirteen individual youth, ranging from competitive swimmers to budding hockey players, each received grants of up to $1,500. 

• Youth Sport Grants were awarded to:
• Peregrine Balinski – $599
• Gabriel Broome-Duclos – $165
• Annabell Voisin – $1,500
• Jake Broome-Armit – $105
• Briar Semenuk – $1,500
• Jeremiah Kauffeldt-Supersad – $1,500
• Elise Bostock – $1,345
• Joshua ‘Kieran’ Merrick – $1,500
• Elizabeth Johnson – $1,500
• Kyrie Chamberlain – $1,500
• Lawson Harrington – $1,500
• Logan Scrimshaw – $1,417
• Lucy Peplinski – $1,500

Local clubs and facilities also benefited, with funding directed to projects such as:

• Ave Domina Angelorum Homeschool Co-op – $4,963
• Arnprior Curling Club – $10,000
• Renfrew Curling Rink – $7,920
• Douglas/Admaston Township – $10,000
• Nick Smith Centre – $10,000
• Township of McNab/Braeside – $5,000
• Petawawa Predators Swim Club – $5,000
• Crossroads Community Club – $4,294

About the Foundation

Founded as a public charity, the Ottawa Valley Community Foundation exists to inspire generosity and direct donor contributions to areas of greatest need in the community. Donations are pooled and invested, then allocated to registered charities, organizations, and initiatives across the Valley.

More information about the Foundation and its granting programs can be found at www.givingthatgrows.com.

Gleaming chrome and strong community spirit came together last month at the Carefor Show and Shine Car Show, drawing crowds to the Carefor Civic Complex for a day filled with vintage vehicles and fundraising in support of senior care. The event raised $4,960 for services at the Carefor Civic Complex and Mackay Centre, both not-for-profit senior care homes.

Of that total, $295 came from the Wheels of the Valley Car Club, who contributed proceeds from their 50/50 draw.

“The same pride and attention to detail that car owners show in restoring these beautiful vehicles is the kind of care we provide to our seniors every day,” said Steve Perry, president and CEO of Carefor. “We look after the people who built our communities the same way these owners care for the cars of their generation – with deep respect, love, and dedication. Events like this demonstrate the power of community support in helping us combat housing insecurity and provide dignified, affordable retirement living for seniors.”

This year’s “Best in Show” award went to Chip Wodtke for his meticulously restored 1941 Chevy Pickup — a crowd favourite among the dozens of classic and custom cars on display.

Organizers say the show plays a vital role in addressing the growing needs of local seniors, especially as the cost of living continues to rise. Funds raised will support improvements to quality of life and amenities for residents in Carefor’s Pembroke-area homes.

Carefor extended heartfelt thanks to all who made the event a success, including sponsors Midas, McDougall Insurance, Desjardins Insurance – Stewart Ray, and Tim Hortons, along with the many volunteers, participants, and members of the Wheels of the Valley Car Club.

(Richard Evans)

In celebration of March for Meals, the Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) is raising awareness of the critical role meal delivery programs play in combating food insecurity among seniors. Throughout the month of March, local organizations across Ontario are highlighting the need for community support and funding for these essential services.

In Renfrew County, Carefor Health & Community Services operates a meal delivery program that provides nutritious meals to seniors, helping to reduce food insecurity and support the health and well-being of older adults in the region. The campaign’s goal is to recruit drivers and raise funds to improve seniors’ access to meals and to subsidize some of the cost to those who might not be able to afford it.

Food insecurity is a pressing issue for many in Renfrew County. Recent statistics show that approximately one in four families in the region experience food insecurity, with the rising cost of food and accommodation being key contributing factors. An additional burden for many seniors is the lack of accessible transportation and having to live on a fixed income. As a result, many seniors find themselves relying on inexpensive, but unhealthy food options, which can lead to poor nutrition and health problems.

The goal of the March for Meals campaign is to raise critical funds to support meal delivery programs like the one offered by Carefor Health & Community Services. These funds help ensure that seniors have access to the nutritious meals they need to stay healthy and independent.

“This campaign is about more than just providing food — it’s about helping seniors maintain their health and independence,” said Janna Wood, program coordinator for Carefor Health & Community Services. “By raising awareness and funds, we can make a real difference in the lives of seniors in our community.”

For more information on how to support the March for Meals campaign or to donate to the program, residents are encouraged to visit Carefor Health & Community Services’ website, www.carefor.ca or call 613-749-7557 ext 2298. For information on joining Carefor’s transportation team, contact Janna Wood at jwood@carefor.ca