As you may know, our 128 bed New MKK project has faced an unfortunate setback. The cost to build was a pre-pandemic figure of $32 million, increasing to just over $50 million in early 2023. Unexpectantly, recent bids from contractors doubled, totaling approximately $100 million! This unfortunately has caused the project to be on hold as we actively work to address this situation and take decisive steps forward to finding feasible solutions.
As we continue to navigate the hurdles on this journey to New MKK, our renowned 63 bed Mauno Kaihla Koti was in need of new dining room tables! Together, we kept New MKK in our horizon while upgrading our current conditions in the meantime!
that will be used by residents now, but also for years to come as they will be transferred to the new home.
Current Table Downfalls:
Enable Table with E-Z Lift Extenders:
The MKK dining room tables we currently have were good for their time. They are now 13-15 years old and are not multiple positioning tables and just have table extenders attached. There are two major problems with these extenders:
The extenders were good for their time but they aren't what we need right now. We have to make sure that we are always trying to improve the dining experience as it's the one thing the residents really enjoy. We have to start getting these new tables in now while they're needed then they can be moved over to the new facility. We need every table to be a multiple positioning table."
Kim Shellhorn
Food Service & Nutrition Manager
I am really excited about the Enable Table Campaign. I would say the biggest thing I am excited about is it will give ALL of our residents a pleasurable dining experience. What's nice about the Enable Tables is that they have different adjustments for lowering or raising the extender for the varying resident needs. I am also excited about having one, uniform look in both dining rooms at Mauno Kaihla Koti. We currently have a mix-match of 19 tables total in three different sizes, colours, and types. They will bring in a little more space to the rooms but yet still offer that pleasurable dining experience to the residents.
It'll be a lot easier to clean and maintain for infection control purposes - that's huge! Overall, it's going to give that nice, new fresh look and I think all the residents are really going to enjoy it.
These are the tables picked out for the new home, however we are experiencing a great need for them now. We talked to some other facilities that have Enable Tables and they come highly reviewed."
Heidi Schell
Purchasing & Marketing Agent
By supporting the Enable Table Campaign, you're giving our residents the most pleasurable and inclusive dining experience they deserve.
705-945-9987
ext. 255 or 257
A live person can take down your credit card information to be processed.
You can donate online through
the link below:
Those who donate online at www.CanadaHelps.org will receive their official tax receipt by email immediately after the donation has been processed.
Come visit our office or mail in your donations to:
OFRA Foundation
725 North St.
Sault Ste. Marie ON P6B 5Z3
Please ensure all cheques are made payable to "The Ontario Finnish Resthome Foundation"
An OFRA GEM is a donor who Gives Every Month, pledging to support our various efforts.
Set it and forget it.
Donating smaller, monthly amounts helps to eliminate financial stress and allows you to create a greater impact over time!
All donations will be receipted annually and donors will received their donation tax receipt no later than the end of February the following year except those donations that were made via CanadaHelps. According to Canada Review Agency’s gifting and receipting policies, if a donor gives a gift of a tangible item or a monetary donation (ie: a gift of property) to OFRA, the donor shall receive an official taxable donation receipt. However, gift certificates, gift cards and gifts of service are not considered property but rather a promise, and are not eligible for tax deductions. For these items, the donor will receive a non-taxable business receipt.