KAWARTHA LAKES-When Samantha and Holly Burke reflect on the years they spent caring for their mother after she was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease at just 60 years old, one thing stands out above all else. They couldn’t have done it alone.
“As a family, we made it our mission to keep Mom at home as long as possible, and we did, for eight years,” they shared. “It wasn’t always easy, but we have no regrets. Looking back, we know that we couldn’t have done it without the help of Community Care.”
Their journey is at the heart of the Community Care Foundation’s Summer Appeal, Help Drive Care Forward, which is raising funds to support Community Care City of Kawartha Lakes’ specialized transportation program.
Like many families, the Burkes initially relied on Community Care’s Adult Day Program, which gave their father much-needed respite while providing their mother with a safe, engaging and compassionate environment. As her condition progressed and she began using a wheelchair, however, a new transportation challenge emerged.
“Our world became smaller, and we quickly realized that something as simple as getting Mom to a doctor’s appointment was no longer simple,” they said.
“The drivers are extraordinary people. They treat Mom with patience and respect, making sure she’s comfortable, handling her wheelchair with care, and making what could be a stressful day feel calm and kind. They allowed us to focus on being her daughters instead of struggling with logistics.”
Their experience is one shared by many families throughout the City of Kawartha Lakes.
Every day, Community Care provides more than 100 rides through its specialized and volunteer transportation programs, helping residents reach medical appointments, cancer treatments, community programs and social connections. In a municipality spanning more than 3,000 square kilometres, many trips exceed 100 kilometres, while appointments in Peterborough, Oshawa and Toronto can require more than 300 kilometres of travel.
“Our transportation program is about much more than getting someone from one place to another,” said Ryan Alexander, Lead Executive of the Community Care Foundation and CEO of Community Care City of Kawartha Lakes. “It’s about preserving independence, reducing isolation, supporting caregivers, and ensuring people can access the healthcare and services they need. Every ride represents dignity, connection and peace of mind.”
Officials say keeping those rides available comes at a significant cost. Community Care operates a fleet of 11 specialized accessible transportation vans, each travelling thousands of kilometres every year. The extensive travel results in increased maintenance costs and the need to replace one or two vehicles annually. Each new accessible van costs more than $120,000 before specialized modifications are completed.
This summer, the Community Care Foundation aims to raise $50,000 to help fund the accessibility modifications for one new specialized transportation van, ensuring local residents can continue accessing safe, reliable transportation when they need it most.
To help launch the campaign, Julie Johnson Dentistry and MNP have generously committed to matching donations made before August 31, 2026, up to $2,500 each, tripling the impact of every gift. “We’re proud to support a service that helps so many families in our community,” says Dr. Julie Johnson.
For Samantha and Holly, the campaign is about ensuring other families have access to the same support they received.
“Community Care truly changed our lives,” they said. “Their programs allowed us to continue caring for Mom with dignity and support, without feeling like we were doing it all alone. Countless small moments stand out. The warm greeting from a driver, the comfort of knowing Mom is safe, the relief of not having to worry about how to get her to an appointment. Each of those moments adds up to something big.”
Community members are invited to support the Summer Appeal by making a donation to help keep accessible transportation available for local residents.
Donations can be made at drivecare.ccckl.ca.
