Beaver Staff
Northbrook Medical Centre and Denbigh’s Addington Highlands Community Centre are now better equipped to handle power outages thanks to the installation of emergency generators.
Funding for the project was made possible through grants from the Community Foundation for Lennox & Addington with the Mazinaw Community Fund, in partnership with Lakelands Family Health Team and the Township of Addington Highlands.
For many years Dr. Bernard Tobia and Lakelands Family Health Team, with clinics in Northbrook and Denbigh, joined more recently by the Northbrook pharmacy, have offered medical advice and comforting assistance to the local community. Because of frequent power outages over the years, it became very apparent that auxiliary electricity was necessary for these locations. Margaret Axford and Ian Brumell recognized this need and, taking advice from Dr. Tobia and Lakelands Family Health Team, in conjunction with their Mazinaw Community Fund, decided to give back and partially fund these auxiliary power installations.
“Lakelands Family Health Team requires power to run the clinics on a daily basis. Power is needed for our electronic medical records, heating, cooling, security, water, and electrical systems, said Jan Powell, spokesperson for Lakelands Family Health Team. “Historically, we have needed to close whenever a power outage occurs, cancelling all inpatient care and requiring the immediate transport of vaccines to alternate sites with cooling and freezing capabilities. The emergency generators project ensures that Lakelands Family Health Team will be able to remain open for delivery of care during power outages. From Lakelands Family Health Team, our current patients, future patients, other tenants in the buildings and on behalf of our community, Lakelands Family Health Team thanks everyone who has played a role in delivering this project.”
An opening celebration for the new generators is scheduled for Oct. 18 at 11:45 a.m. at the Northbrook Medical Centre, 12357 Hwy. 41 in Northbrook.
“A foundation, in every sense, is a firm and sustainable base upon which we build for the present and the future,” explains Dennis Mills, president of the Community Foundation for Lennox & Addington. “The Community Foundation for Lennox & Addington and the Mazinaw Community Fund are thrilled to be providing $60,000 to this much needed project. It is the largest single grant made in our history. We gratefully appreciate the generous citizens of Lennox and Addington County who ensure essential capacity to make our community thrive. This particular donation is made possible through the Mazinaw Community Flow-Through Fund and the leadership and generosity of Margaret Axford and Ian Brumell.”
The Mazinaw Community Fund has been providing grants to charitable projects throughout the region since its establishment in 2006.