VIEWPOINTS Off to a good start

To the Editor, Islanders have promised almost $100,000 towards the creation of Snug Cove House Thank you! And that’s just in the first week of a six-week drive to raise the final funds needed to start construction of the supportive residence for Bowen seniors

Our seniors will no longer be forced to leave the island in search of supportive accommodation as they do now, an average of 11 every year, if every Bowen household promises $1,400 towards Snug Cove House

The residence already has 88% of its construction funding $1,400 from every household will take Snug Cove House across the finish line and allow our elderly to stay with their friends and neighbours in the community they love and help build.

If you can’t spare $1,400 that’s okay. It’s important that as many of our 1,724 households as possible are seen to be willing to contribute something This will hopefully encourage others with more resources to step up to the plate

All that is needed at the moment is to say you will give You will be asked to write a cheque only if enough pledges are made to complete the construction budget There is a pledge form in the ad on the back of this Undercurrent

If you can’t get to the Pharmacy to drop off the form, just e-mail info@snugcove- house.com with the sentence: “I pledge $ towards the construction of Snug Cove House”

And please don’t delay There’s only four weeks to go until the April 7 deadline (The deadline is a condition imposed by the agency providing the major financing.)

Some questions are being asked about the residence as more people are becoming aware of the project, so here are some brief answers:

Are donations tax-deductible?

Yes, Snug Cove House Society is a registered charity.

Why does Snug Cove House cost more to build than the new apartment complex in Snug Cove?

Snug Cove House is planned to Assisted Living requirements, so conforms to the Building Code’s Group B, a more stringent standard than Group C for normal homes and apartments The residence also has cost-intensive facilities such as the com- mercial kitchen and laundry, and has to build a septic field because of sewage plant problems

How much will Snug Cove House cost to live in?

Monthly fees are expected to be $5,500, which sounds like a lot until you work out how much you pay to live at home The fees include meals, cleaning, laundry, activities, and staff

You can find more details at snugcovehouse.com including a frequently-asked-questions section, or you can speak to the society’s board members

With many thanks for your consideration,

- The board of directors of Snug Cove House Society Martine Sampath, Pernille Nielsen, Cindy Macleod, Graham Ritchie, Susan Munro, Rev Lorraine Ashdown, Holly Mackintosh, Andy Powell-Williams