Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Adam Donnelly

AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR SENIORS

ASK Wellness recognizes long-time volunteer as they break ground on Cookie’s Place

Aug 21, 2020 | 4:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — Since its humble beginnings back in 1992, ASK Wellness Society has grown from an organization promoting health and education, to now a powerhouse focused on helping people through providing housing and additional supports to people affected by HIV and AIDS and many who require that little bit extra in whatever situation they’re in.

Friday (Aug. 21), ASK Wellness officially broke ground on Cookie’s Place, a 37-unit seniors housing complex, named in honour of one of the organization’s greatest supporters, Cookie Reimer.

“Wow, this is really exciting,” she told the crowd gathered at the groundbreaking

That trademark Cookie smile was shining bright today, even when her mask was up. It’s not every day you get a building named in your honour.

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“Realizing how much she had given to the organization, it was high time that we actually did honour her and name a building after her,” ASK Wellness Executive Director Bob Hughes explained. “Cookie’s Place will have 37 units of housing for seniors, age 55 and over. As you can see we’re already getting busy rolling.”

Construction began last Wednesday when the project first received its construction permits. On Friday, the official groundbreaking ceremony took place, to honour Cookie’s contribution to the ASK Wellness Society over the past 28 years.

“I did start to work for ASK Wellness in September of 1992,” Reimer told the crowd gathered at the event. “It was called the AIDS Society of Kamloops in those days, and my friend Alphonse had started the AIDS Society in his basement in 1988.”

Reimer got her start fundraising for the annual AIDS Walk in Vancouver around the same time. Kenny Brett was one of the folks’ Cookie hit for a donation early on.

“I think my partner, Les Ripple, and I ended up giving $20 because we could afford that,” Brett recalls. “Then there’s a knock on the door or a phone call and it’s more, more, more. Every year, it gradually becomes more.”

Kenny made the trip up from the Lower Mainland to share in Cookie’s big day. He says he’s not surprised this honour has been bestowed upon Reimer.

“Isn’t that remarkable? I just think it’s special,” Brett says. “Someone that does that, does all that fundraising and asks nothing for it — who better than that a building be named after, but Cookie, right?”

For Hughes, Cookie has been a mentor and supporter since he took the job at ASK Wellness. He gives her credit for the success and growth of that organization, and the principles it stands for.

“Her sense of inclusion is something I carry very deeply in what I do, Hughes says. “This organization would not be what it is without her, and I wouldn’t be in the role I’m in now if it wasn’t for her giving me that guidance and showing me what it’s like to just give and to believe in people, even when they stop believing in themselves.”

“Now to have a seniors place, named after me, a senior, is pretty awesome,” Cookie says. “It’s honouring. It’s — I’m really touched.”

The construction of Cookie’s Place should be finished by the fall of 2021.