The OFRA Ladies Auxiliary
The Ladies' Auxiliary is a vital part of the soul of OFRA. The generosity of the members is inspiring and the result of their hard work and ambition is enjoyed daily by staff and residents alike.
The Ladies' Auxiliary was founded in April 1973 with a mandate of raising funds primarily for Mauno Kaihla Koti nursing home.
The Ladies' Auxiliary began as a group of active women gathered in the basement of the St. Mary’s Lutheran Church to ponder ways in which they could support OFRA’s endeavours to build a nursing home. They started holding bake sales, tea and bazaars, fashion shows, casserole dinners and weekly flea market with sales of gently used clothing and houseware items.
Today they meet once a month to bake our famous “pulla” which currently sells for $12 a loaf. Anja Rissanen, Chair of The Ladies' Auxiliary, has been active in her role since January 1995.
The Ladies' Auxiliary also has a very successful second hand store in Suomi Eesti Maija (721 North St.) that sells a large variety of items.
The store is open every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. We are always happy to accept donations to our store.
NOTE: Only gently used, clean clothing accepted.
Did you know that well over $1 million has been raised and donated towards the Mauno Kaihla Koti Nursing Home as well as helping with the other buildings within the organization?
This is made possible by our amazing volunteers and donors. Fundraising events include:
- Valentine’s Tea and Bazaar
- Mother's Day Tea and Bazaar
- August Casserole Dinner
- Fashion Shows
- Coffee Socials (held 2 times a week in the Suomi Eesti Maja Kestitupa from 1 to 2:30 p.m.)
- Once a month, pulla is baked and sold; occasionally meat pie sales are held
- Tempaus (the Christmas Tea and Bazaar) is our biggest fundraising event, which is held in November
- All events are open to the public
The Ladies Auxiliary is always actively seeking additional members to fulfill their fundraising mission!
To become a member or volunteer, contact Heidi Slotegraaf at (705) 945-9987 ext. 203.
The Sault Star ~ ‘Built on pulla’: OFRA ladies’ auxiliary’s half century of baking whips up $1M for home, community
Sales of Finnish coffee bread didn’t suffer during pandemic
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