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It took a lot of people to help Wellwood break ground today for its new community-based site on Hamilton's west mountain.
On May 29, a shovel-wielding team -- that included founders, architects, home builders, community partners, neighbours, donors, staff, clients and volunteers -- "dug in" to begin the construction of the long-awaited new home for the local cancer support centre. "All of these people have taken part in writing the Wellwood story," explains Belinda Zylstra, president. "It only made sense that we would invite everyone to, literally, start building this together." Wellwood Juravinski House, presented by Hamilton-Halton Home Builders' Association (HHHBA), will be located at the corner of Chedmac and Sanatorium, on the outskirts of the grounds of Chedoke Hospital. Zylstra announced during the ceremony that the HHHBA is taking a leadership role in the construction. "It is a marvelous partnership," she says. "The association builds more than homes. They build more than neighbourhoods. They build community." HHHBA is the voice of the local home building industry, which represents some 18,000 jobs, and is a major force in the local economy. Association members work in all areas relating to new home construction, including as builders, land developers, trades, suppliers, renovators and others. HHHBA advocates, not only for members and the building industry, but also for new home buyers. The association and its leadership have pledged support to a campaign to raise the remaining $300,000 required for the construction of Wellwoodâs new home, by making a donation and by encouraging HHHBA members and their suppliers to also pledge cash donations, as well as building supplies, to the project. "The board and management of the HHHBA applaud and fully endorse this worthwhile philanthropic endeavor being undertaken by some of our members, including New Horizon Homes, Multi-Area Developments and The Molinaro Group, to name a few," says association president Adi Irani. "We are also pleased to have our associationâs name attached to this project. It highlights the work that our association and our members do in supporting important community initiatives." The home, designed by McCallum Sather Architects, will be named for Margaret and Charles Juravinski, who contributed a two-million-dollar endowment fund that, invested in its entirety, will generate regular income to help Wellwood manage the increased operating costs associated with the new site. "It is the gift of so much more than money," says Jane George, executive director of the Centre. "It is the gift of sustainability. Margaret and Charles have become legendary. Their generosity seems to know no bounds, and they give, not only tremendous amounts in support of wonderful causes, but with such enthusiasm and such joy. They leave a legacy in Hamilton that will carry on for generations."
Wellwood is a local charity dedicated to helping cancer patients, their families, caregivers and health care providers to "live well" with cancer. The Centre offers about 25 different services, and there are more than 200 active trained volunteers involved in the design and delivery of programs. All of Wellwood's services are free of charge to everyone.
Currently housed at Henderson Hospital, Wellwood will also maintain its Centre there to assist people who need immediate access to support, and would benefit from services that are provided closer to the Hospital and the adjacent Juravinski Cancer Centre. Peter George, president of McMaster University, addressed the crowd from the perspective of someone who watched Wellwood being created. His late wife, Gwen (who was also Jane's mother), was a member of the working group that assisted the Centreâs co-founders, Maureen O'Connor and the late Dr. Greg OâConnell, to make their vision a reality.
In his remarks, George honored everyone who has worked to create Wellwood and to realize those dreams.
"Wellwood -- this place of healing and hope, laughter and light -- is their incredible legacy to our community, and now all of us are charged with the important task of carrying that legacy forward."
For information, please contact: K. Jane George, 905-389-5884,
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