A St. Albert dealership has boosted an important charity with the donation of a brand new car.
Ron Hodgson Chevy-Buick-GMC Aug. 23 donated a brand new 2013 Chevrolet Spark to The Buchanan Centre, a charitable wellness centre dedicated to people living with Parkinson disease. The centre helps those living with mobility disorders by offering a full complement of high-quality resources, support and education.
Handing the keys over, dealership president Ron Hodgson said he was pleased to help. “We, as a community, really should support them because we wouldn’t be able to do what we want without them,” he said.
Hodgson had Gerald Bachand helping him. Bachand also has Parkinson disease affecting his family.
Diane Buchanan, whose husband Gordon is living with Parkinson disease, is chair of the charity named after her family. She said the donation was very generous. “Ron is always doing this for someone in the community,” she said after getting the keys.
She noted the Buchanan Centre is currently planning their big charity gala for Oct. 10. She noted that those who buy a balloon at the gala for $100 could have a big surprise. “Someone will drive out with a brand new car,” said Buchanan.
The Buchanan Centre has a planned opening date of 2014 she noted. Buchanan also stated Parkinson disease is becoming more prevalent. It’s estimated it will soon affect 10 per cent of Alberta’s population. “There’s just no treatment, no help,” she said. The centre has the goal of giving people a welcoming, home-like place to live in dignity.
A number of other services will also be offered such as physiotherapy, dance, and offices for Parkinson Alberta, which has been aiding Albertans with Parkinson disease since 1973, will also be located at the centre.
The Buchanan Centre has an opening goal of 2014, and volunteers are dedicated to raising $5 million to help make the centre a reality.
Watch the Gazette for more information about the big October gala.
