The Tri-Cities Leisure Connections program will be able to continue supporting those with Alzheimer's or dementia after receiving a grant from the Coquitlam Foundation.
The weekly program at the Glen Pine Pavilion was in danger of being cancelled after losing its United Way funding earlier this summer.
Leisure Connections offers social, physical, emotional, cognitive and leisure activities for people aged 60-plus who have mild to moderate memory loss.
"It provides the participants with the tools to once again have fun, laugh and meet new friends," said Janet Toddington, chair of the Coquitlam Foundation, in a release.
The foundation's grant of $2,238 will allow Leisure Connections to continue operating until the end of 2014.
But the Glen Pine program isn't the only one to need hasty rescuing after losing its United Way funding.
In the spring, Community Volunteer Services for Seniors (CVSS) lost its $50,000 United Way grant after the province reallocated the money to Share Family and Community Services for the Better at Home program.
That money, more than half of CVSS's operating budget, has been made up in small foundation grants and donations, said its executive director, Marg Gordon.
"We're still pressing on and we're very hopeful that it will turn around," Gordon said, noting the funding the group has received will keep CVSS running into the spring. The Port Coquitlam-based organization serves about 180 seniors who are homebound and/or isolated with grocery shopping services, at-home visits, telephone support and referrals.
The group has started a new shopping partnership with Save-On Foods, which allows volunteers to collect grocery orders from seniors, enter the information on the store's online shopping site and have it delivered for a reduced rate.
As well, the Shoppers Drug Mart at Shaughnessy Station is supporting CVSS with the Shaughnessy Fall Festival on Oct. 19.
