Community spirit and generosity create a feeling of home at Cumberland Lodge

Today, in 2026, we are proud to celebrate the completion of the True Door Project at Cumberland Lodge — a remarkable achievement made possible through the generosity, compassion, and community spirit of donors and supporters across the Comox Valley.

What began in 2022 as a community-driven vision to help residents feel more at home has now become a fully realized initiative, thanks to the collective efforts of families, businesses, community partners, and individuals who believed in creating greater comfort, familiarity, and belonging for seniors in care.

The True Door Project was created to support residents at Cumberland Lodge, home to 66 seniors from across the Comox Valley. Through the installation of personalized door covers designed to resemble real front doors, residents are offered more than a visual identifier — they are offered comfort, dignity, independence, and connection to familiar surroundings.

For many residents living with dementia, these door designs can spark meaningful memories: a childhood home, the house where they raised their family, or a favourite place from their past. They also help residents more easily recognize their own rooms, reducing confusion and supporting greater independence, while transforming hallways into welcoming, neighbourhood-like spaces that reflect the compassionate care provided at the Lodge.

One of the most meaningful aspects of the project was the opportunity for residents to help select their own door covers. Some chose designs that reflected their personality and spirit, while others selected doors that held personal meaning and memories close to their hearts. Each door tells a story.

This project would not have been possible without the extraordinary generosity of community partners and donors who believed in the importance of creating a true sense of home for seniors in care.

We extend our deepest gratitude to the realtors at RE/MAX Ocean Pacific, whose leadership and ongoing support helped propel the True Door Project forward and carry it through to completion. Their commitment played a key role in turning this vision into a lasting reality for residents at Cumberland Lodge.

We also sincerely thank the Rotary Club of Cumberland for their generosity and strong community ties; IG Wealth Management – Bakers & Associates for their support of the project; and SpeedPro Signs Courtenay for their valued partnership and generous support in helping complete the installation of the personalized door covers. We are also grateful to two remarkable community champions — 97-year-old Sylvia Chalk, who passionately advocated for ensuring fellow seniors could feel at home, and Ron Fortin, a longtime supporter of Cumberland Lodge and friend of the Healthcare Foundation.

The True Door Project stands as a powerful reminder of what happens when a community comes together with compassion and purpose. Because of this collective generosity, residents at Cumberland Lodge are surrounded not only by exceptional care, but by comfort, familiarity, and a greater sense of belonging.

Every door now opens to more than a room — it opens to home.