Tillsonburg Community Rallying Behind Maple Manor

Monday, 11 January 2021 at 13:22

"We are just trying to do anything we can, to let the staff and the residents know they are not alone, they have the community behind them."

TILLSONBURG - The community of Tillsonburg has been doing everything they can to rally around the Maple Manor Long Term Care home.

Several groups have been raising money and gift cards for the staff staying at a local hotel to provide them with meals. Posters and signs have been created and are hanging near the home as well.

Cathy Ryan runs the Talk Tillsonburg Facebook group and says everyone is trying their best to do something to show our support, including a 17 year old bag piper.

"On his birthday, he went there and played Amazing Grace for all the staff, we had another group bring all their dogs down there and they did a dog parade to bring smiles to the residents. We are just trying to do whatever we can to show our support."

Ryan says it started with Corry Hill Davis who started collecting scrub hats for the staff when they were running out. They are in the process of creating shirts to support the staff and the support has really grown from there according to Ryan.

"I'm not sure but somebody put out a billboard sign in support of Maple Manor just outside the building, so it started from there and I am blessed to run the group that I run when it comes to pulling together the community in support for others. We have had an outpour of of cash donations and gift cards. Restaurants in Town have been supplying meals for the staff, Royal Glass and Mirror is donating all of the shirts for the staff, as soon as the logo is ready."

Today the health unit confirmed another 2 deaths at the long term home. A total of 80 residents have tested positive for the virus at Maple Manor and 45 staff members. 11 residents have now passed away. Ryan says the support has been overwhelming.

"We are just trying to do anything we can, to let the staff and the residents know they are not alone, they have the community behind them, we are pulling for them and we are behind them."

Ryan plans on delivering gift cards and cash to the staff tomorrow.