As part of Revera’s giving back initiatives, managers at Chatham Retirement Resort paid a visit last week to the local men’s shelter.
Armed with 16 backpacks and 10 bags of necessities, the managers dropped the items off at Hope Haven to help homeless men in our community.
Barb Caron of Chatham Retirement Resort said managers at the facility paid for all the items donated in the bags. Items included toques, gloves, hand sanitizer, a gift card to a nearby coffee shop, and various toiletries.
“It’s part of Revera’s Random Act of Kindness Day,” Caron said. “Our team gave at multiple locations. We did a food drive and donated to the Little Pantry and did a lunch delivery to various seniors too.”
As for delivering aid to Hope Haven, Caron added, “I see the need here and we chose them.”
Wanda Bell, co-ordinator of volunteers and communications with Hope Haven, said the support is greatly appreciated.
“This is wonderful. We’re kind of low on what we call our ‘Welcome Packages,’ and this is perfect,” she said. “It’s so nice to have community support.”
Bell said initially, the support for Hope Haven, located in the basement of New Beginnings Ministries on Wellington Street in Chatham, came largely from other faith-based organizations. But that is changing.
“When you see businesses step up, that really shows the community spirit,” she said. “It’s a whole community reaching out to help these guys.”
Hope Haven offers short-term overnight accommodation for about a dozen men. But they must find alternative arrangements in 60 days or less.
