Click any of the thumbnails to the left to see some of the photo history of the Kinsmen Hinge Project...
A hospital visit brings Rotarians and Kinsmen together to help seniors.
Delta, BC, April 18, 1998
At 1:00 PM today, 34 Rotarians and 8 Kinsmen invaded 2 Delta apartment buildings at 10th Avenue and 54A Street to help 177 senior residents. The friendly invasion force installed $22,000 of hardware to end the safety hazard created by heavy fire doors in the Kinsmen Apartment buildings.
The problem came to light when injuries sent a resident to the hospital. She had been overpowered by the force of the hydraulic door closures used to meet fire regulations. With the new hardware tenants no longer risk injury to use the heavy suite doors.
When she learned of the injured tenant, apartment manager, Donna Wood asked the Rotary Club for assistance in finding a solution. "We needed help and they responded", she said. A plan developed to change the closure hardware to adjustable spring hinges. The spring hinges meet fire regulations but have the advantage of letting elderly tenants easily use their doors. "This change gives both comfort and safely to the residents", Wood said.
One lucky tenant got sample hinges to test the idea. As soon as they were installed she was pleased. "Now the door opens so easily. When neighbors visit they are surprised how effortless it is to handle my heavy door. Even those of us with canes or walkers find it easy."
The elderly residents prize their independent lifestyle and appreciate any effort to keep them safely in their private apartments.
Manufacturer Stanley Works, distributor Shanahan's Ltd. and retailer Beaver Lumber contributed a value of $14,500 towards the $22,000 project. Rotary raised, $6,000.00, Kinsmen donated $900.00 and the Kinsmen Retirement Centre
Apartment management paid the taxes on the project.
The renovations are in two Kinsmen Retirement Centre Apartment Buildings that are parts of the five building complex operated by the Kinsmen Retirement Certre Society to meet residential, recreational and care needs of local senior citizens. There are 216 suites in three apartment buildings, a recreation centre for residents as well as seniors in the community and a 101 bed facility for those that require some daily living assistance.
The Rotary Club of Tsawwassen was supported in this project by the Kinsmen Club of Ladner-Tsawwassen.
The Kinsmen Club is a Canadian young men's service club founded in 1936 with 450 clubs in communities across Canada. Their motto: "Servicing the communities greatest need" inspired them in 1979 to begin developing the Kinsmen Retirement Centre which has now grown to house over 320 elderly people and serves hundreds more with recreation and community programs.
There are 11 members in the Kinsmen Club of Ladner-Tsawwassen and over 7000 members across Canada.
Stanley Works is a major manufacturer and distributor of many quality tool and hardware products for both the professional and retail markets.
Shanahan's Ltd. is a distributor of builder's hardware serving the British Columbia construction industry.
Beaver Lumber is locally owned and operated by Mr. Norm Matheson. It carries an extensive supply of hardware, houseware, home renovation and lumber products. It is part of the Beaver Lumber chain with over 150 locations in Canada.
For further information contact: Bryan Kelly, Project Coordinator, Rotary Club of Tsawwassen Phone 604-943-1494