A Castlegar support program for seniors that is in danger of closing after losing its primary funding source will be receiving a temporary boost thanks to Castlegar McDonald’s.
Owners Brad and Kathleen Zubick have decided to make Castlegar Seniors Outreach &Support [SOS] the recipients of the proceeds from this year’s local McHappy Day.
The Zubicks first learned about the SOS program through a Christmas tree project sponsored by the Castlegar Rebels in support of the seniors’ outreach.
“My mom and dad are getting older and my dad has dementia,” said Kathleen Zubick. “It really started to bring it into focus how quickly and easily seniors can be left to their own devices without family support.”
“For me, it was the right time and the right place, it [SOS] really raised my awareness,” added Zubick. “I learned and recognized that a lot of seniors who raised phenomenal children and families in our community, those kids have moved away and they are left here at home. Their social circle gets much smaller … and that sense of loneliness or isolation seems to creep in.”
SOS director Sandi McCreight is thrilled with the much-needed donation.
“When we struggle with programs in communities, whether it is a lack of funding, or slipping through the cracks … when the community comes together, even in the interim like this — to make sure that it continues to happen — it is what communities are made of,” said McCreight. “I am so happy and proud to be part of this community where community members step up to the plate. It is amazing — the community that we live in.”
McHappy Day will take place on May 3 and $1 from every Happy Meal, Big Mac and hot beverage sold that day will go to SOS. Ronald Hearts will also be sold at the restaurant during the month of April for a minimum donation of $1. In addition, McHappy Day merchandise will also be available for purchase.
The staff at McDonald’s has decided to take their involvement a bit further than selling hearts and hamburgers. They have decided to hold bake sales and a car wash to help increase the amount of funds for SOS. One bake sale was already held last Saturday, raising over $250. The remaining bake sales will be held at the restaurant the next two Fridays, April 21 and 28, from 1 p.m. until the items sell out. The car wash will be held in the restaurant parking lot on Saturday, April 22 from 2 to 4 p.m.
“I’m excited to see how much money we can raise in order to support the program,” concluded Zubick. “For Brad and myself, we just find it really rewarding to be able to identify a group that is very much in need of the funding.”