BMO donated $200,000 to St. Joseph’s Foundation: $185,000 will fund the new 64-bed St. Joseph’s Lodge in Gore Bay, and $14,500 will expand the Angel Bus accessible transportation program.
GORE BAY—St. Joseph’s Foundation is proud to announce a generous $200,000 gift from BMO in support of the redevelopment of St. Joseph’s Lodge in Gore Bay and transportation that helps older adults on Manitoulin Island access services.
“Through this gift more people will receive care close to the people and places they love, while strengthening the continuum of care across the region,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Kari Gervais, St. Joseph Health Centre, which manages the Lodge. “BMO is a compassionate community partner focused on supporting the needs of older adults in the community.”
“Access to care close to home makes a meaningful difference for people across Manitoulin Island,” said Jennifer Carbone, regional vice-president, Northwestern Ontario Market, BMO. “With a BMO branch in Gore Bay, we are closely connected to this community, and we’re proud to support the new lodge and the Angel Bus program. Together, these investments help improve access to care and connection, building stronger communities for seniors and their families.”
A total of $185,000 from the gift will support the construction and equipping of the new long-term care home.
The new St. Joseph’s Lodge will be larger, with a total of 64 beds, and at a new location, 280 Armstrong Road in Gore Bay overlooking the North Channel. Purpose-built to meet the evolving needs of the community, the Lodge will be accessible and easy to navigate and will offer individual rooms for each of the residents, secure outdoor spaces, improved dining areas, resident lounges, and naturally lit and sun-filled spaces.
The remaining $14,500 is being invested in the Angel Bus program, an accessible transportation service that’s a lifeline for residents and family caregivers, as well as adult citizens of Western Manitoulin living with mobility challenges. The Angel Bus is a wheelchair accessible van that provides transportation free of charge to residents of St. Joseph’s Lodge and members of the broader community.
Of this, $8,000 will be provided over four years to help cover fuel and parking costs, supporting approximately 110 outings each year. These trips include medical and non-medical appointments, as well as community outings that help people stay active, engaged and connected.
Approximately $6,500 will fund three removable seats for the Angel Bus, increasing capacity from six to eight passengers per trip, along with a companion and driver. This means more people will be able to access these essential and life-enriching services.
“I want to thank BMO for their generous donation,” said Kristal Lafantaisie, director of philanthropy at St. Joseph’s Foundation. “We are deeply grateful for their commitment to the communities they serve and their dedication to growing the good, supporting well-being and strengthening connections for residents and families.”
The redevelopment of St. Joseph’s Lodge is a vital step in ensuring people across Manitoulin Island can access the care they need, close to home and community, in a setting that supports dignity, connection and quality of life.