Residents at Bethany Cochrane were treated to gleaming chrome, powerful engines and some flashy rides when the Cochrane Classic Car Club rolled into the longterm care facility's parking lot on Thursday evening.
Ray Kaczmer, president of Cochrane Classic Car Club, said the group decided to bring the cars to the elderly residents because many of them aren't able to travel to attend their regular shows and to help kick off the Bethany Cochrane's annual 50/50 raffle sales.
There are 5,000 tickets up for sale at $2 each and the money raised will go toward purchasing dementia accessories to help residents in the care facility's dementia wing.
Maureen Vink, who has been the chairperson of the Bethany Family Council for the past five years, said over that period the family council has raised around $150,000 for residents of Bethany Cochrane.
"Every year, we try to do something to raise money for the little extra things the government does not provide," said Vink.
Money raised through the raffle and community partners such as the Legion and Cochrane Home Treasures has gone to upgrades that help the care centre feel more like home.
A big chunk of its funding aid comes through the Canadian Legion's Poppy Fund, which is designed to support veterans or families of veterans.
"Forty-nine of our 114 residents are veterans or family of veterans," said Vink.
From incredible scenic murals of Southern Alberta – from where most of the residents originate – to a gazebo and barbecue area, to a grand piano, Vink said all the money raised has gone to add flavours of home.
"The people who are coming here are giving up their homes so any touches of home we can provide are priceless," said Vink, whose mother was a resident of the Bethany Cochrane before she died last year at 103.
"I am staying here now (as president) even after my mom passed away because she was here for 10 years and they were amazing with her and she made me promise I would stay," she said.
The car club is hoping to turn the visit to Bethany Cochrane into an annual affair.
"We think it's important our club supports this community. The club has been in existence for nine or 10 years now and we've always been a part of the community with the business side and our annual shows and our weekly shows as well," said Kaczmer.
Cochrane Classic Car Club meets weekly on Thursdays at various locales around town. Keep an eye on its Facebook page for upcoming locations at www.facebook.com/cochraneclassic/. This year, the club's annual show and shine will be Sept 8. downtown and Kaczmer said he expects some 200 cars to attend.
Raffle tickets can be purchased from any family council member or the Bethany Cochrane office. They are on sale until November.
