As a way of giving back the larger community, Heatherwood Retirement Residence donated just over $430 towards the Niagara Health Foundation for the purchase of a respirator.

“[The pandemic is] hitting close to home for everyone,” said Robert Brazeau, general manager at Heatherwood Retirement Residence in St. Catharines. “Everyone is effected by it. You may not know someone who has it, but it’s in our community. It’s what we’re fighting every day, to keep it out and away from the residents. This is just a way of giving back and helping people in our community who may need that respirator.”

The team collected the money by recycling the empty beverage bottles they had accumulated during the pandemic, when local stores were not accepting returns. The bottles were delivered to the local store by Victoria Vantwel, Heatherwood’s lifestyle consultant, and Lou Albers, the director of culinary.

“We will be [donating our empties] again,” said Robert. “It affects seniors the most, and if we can help them we feel that we have to.”