A resident of the St. Margaret’s Bay area has been touched by how the community has been there for him.
Franko, known as Frank, who prefers not to share his last name, has been a familiar figure for many years, as he travels along St. Margaret’s Bay Road on his bicycle.
He got to know fellow St. Margaret’s Bay residents Susan and Jim Slaunwhite some time ago, and they’ve been coordinating recent community support around Frank’s current needs during and after a recent
hospital admission.
Susan has been providing regular updates on the Facebook page Ask St. Margaret’s Bay, and the result has been a flood of offers to help.
“His roof needed repair, so Blackburn Roofing donated the labour, while Rona Tantallon and Bird and Stairs donated the materials,” she says. She adds that there have also been gifts of cash to cover things
like heating, and items, including clothing and bedding, along with many more offers of various types
of assistance.
“It’s wonderful how much we care about one another here,” she says. “At the same time, Frank is a very independent person and chooses to live quite simply, so we wanted to make sure any help provided respected that.”
The Slaunwhites will continue to stay in touch with Frank. “At this moment, his bills are up to date, his roof is repaired, and his current needs are under control,” says Susan. “People have been so generous and, because his space is quite limited, he doesn’t need any further items at this time.”
Susan says Frank feels grateful that he now has what he needs, and he hopes anyone in the community who was ready to help him out will consider directing a donation instead to the two families in Hubley
affected by a January 1 house fire (see “Benefit to aid families who lost everything in fire,” page 8 print copy).
Susan says, “In a recent conversation, Frank said to me, ‘I didn’t think people noticed—I didn’t think they saw.’ And I said, ‘They sure did, for the past twenty-something years. Everybody was worried when
you were in the hospital, and the community missed you.’ She adds, “Frank wanted to make sure I shared this message. He said: ‘I want to thank everyone, for all they’ve done.”
by Sharon Jessup Joyce
