McGeachy foundation gives kids’ treatment center $300K boost

A planned Chatham-Kent children’s treatment center has received a major funding boost on National Philanthropy Day.

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The McGeachy Charitable Foundation has donated $300,000 to the Butterfly Building Campaign of the Children’s Treatment Center Foundation of Chatham-Kent.

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The donation, marking National Philanthropy Day Nov. 15, honors the late Lynn McGeachy Schultz, a passionate child welfare advocate, the center foundation said in a release.

The gift has helped the Butterfly Building campaign reach $9.5 million of its $10-million fundraising goal, said center foundation president Mike Genge. “It’s a really, really good push.”

The center provides therapy and services to children with special needs, developmental delays, and disabilities, the foundation said. To expand its services and meet growing demand, it plans a new 55,000-square-foot (5,110-square-meter) facility.

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While Ontario has pledged more than $20 million to build the new center on McNaughton Avenue West in Chatham, the Butterfly Building campaign covers the cost of needed equipment, furniture and fixtures.

McGeachy Schultz, a University of Guelph kinesiology graduate, began her career working in occupational therapy at the center. She is credited with creating a valued “adapted recreation” program for kids.

“This donation is a reflection of Lynn’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of children,” the McGeachy foundation’s Scott McGeachy said. “We are honored to contribute to the capital project that will provide a modern and welcoming space for children in our community.”

“Our foundation is dedicated to supporting local causes, and we believe in the mission of the children’s treatment center,” he added.

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The new center will feature such amenities as a dedicated gym, therapy rooms and updated pool accessible to clients and the wider community, the foundation said.

More office space will enhance the working environment for staff and provide improved charting capabilities. The center will be fully compliant with Ontario accessibility standards, ensuring it is fully inclusive and accessible to all.

“We are incredibly grateful to the McGeachy Charitable Foundation for their momentous donation,” said center foundation chairperson Kevin Owen. “Their support will help us create an innovative and inclusive space that will positively impact the lives of countless children and their families for years to come.”

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