Delhi Community Health Centre receives $78,300 donation from Archie Verspeeten
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The elevator modernization project at the Delhi Community Health Centre is moving forward.
The medical centre hosted a successful ‘Harvesting the Bounty’ 20th anniversary gala last month at the Delhi German District Home, the first DCHC gala since 2019, raising nearly $25,000 for the elevator project.
Soon after, Archie Verspeeten of Delhi donated $78,300 to the project, achieving the fundraising goal of nearly $100,000.
Lori Yeo, DCHC Building Administrator, recalls a conversation with caregiver Mary Jane Kekes, who was asking on Verspeeten’s behalf, wondering how much the gala had made.
Yeo had some time off for vacation, and when she returned Kekes met her at the centre… and presented a book.
While doing research for the history part of the 20th anniversary, how DCHC got where it is now, Yeo had referenced Volumes 2 and 3 of Alice DeGeyter’s book ‘Delhi, Ontario: People and Places.’ The health centre did not have Volume 1 and Yeo had asked if anyone had an extra copy.
“Mary Jane Kekes, who is one of Archie’s caregivers, said to me, ‘I think Archie might actually have two of those,’” Yeo said. “So that’s how it started.”
Verspeeten and DeGeyter (1942-2021) were co-recipients of the Delhi Citizen of the Year Award in 2021.
When Kekes met Yeo, she said “Look what Archie said to give you.” It was Volume 1 of ‘Delhi, Ontario: People and Places.’
“When I opened it up, inside there was an envelope,” said Yeo. “In that envelope was the cheque for $78,300. So it was a lovely surprise.”
In May 2023 when DCHC had received its elevator renovation quote, the initial estimate was $92,000. Since then, the price has gone up.
“I’m really grateful that he topped it up to $100,000 because everything’s gone up since May,” said Yeo. “The donation should cover it all. It was a lovely surprise… I found it just overwhelming, and the generosity floored me. We are so blessed to have him. He is such a big supporter – he also donated the funds for the last expansion wing.”
Yeo quickly called the elevator contractor and asked to be added to ‘the schedule.’ Yeo said they were added to the renovation/repair list and it should be about 30 weeks to get started.
“By summer, hopefully.”
The 20-year-old elevator, which is still safe to use although sometimes temperamental after power outages, will continue in the interim while awaiting its modernization parts.
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