Twelve years ago, the Redvers Activity Centre [RAC] had received three bathtubs for two of their group homes they manage.
The tubs originally come from Safety Bath, which is now operating out of Lethbridge, Alta. Safety Bath started in Ituna by Latimer Kowalski, who had invented the original bathtubs for those with mobility issues.
The tubs had served their purpose over the years, making it easier for those living and working in the group homes to be provided proper care, but the tubs had passed their prime, and needed replacement.
Chief executive officer Marsha Goforth of the RAC began a process to replace the tubs, applying to the provincial government for funding, and after numerous attempts to get support, was finally approved after four years. She was able to secure the funds to replace just one of the tubs.
With funding in place to replace one tub, the RAC made arrangements with Dignity Bath of Regina to supply and install the tub, and the supplier recommended that the other two tubs should be replaced as soon as possible.
The coast to replace all three of the tubs was over $30,000, leaving the RAC needing to secure over $20,000 to replace the other two tubs.
Owner Terry Fessler of Dignity Bath made a call to his wholesaler Safety Bath, and the two companies made the offer to replace one of the two tubs if the RAC could raise the funds for the other tub. The tubs were installed and ready for use the last week of August.
The RAC put the word out to community and within 12 months they had raised the funding from various organizations and individuals to cover the cost of one of the two tubs.
The new tubs are more ergonomically friendly, making it easier for the staff to maintain and also safer for both the staff and the clients to use. The new tubs will replace those in the Warren Group Home and in the Walker Group Home.
The donation by Dignity Bath and Safety Bath was in the amount of $10,593.
Needing over $30,000 and only getting enough for one tub, and tasked with raising the necessary funds for two more tubs, 鈥渢he generosity of those that made this possible is greatly appreciated by all in the community鈥� said Goforth.
