Our History
The Saanich Peninsula Stroke Recovery Association has provided continuous service to the community since we were founded in 1990. We are a registered charitable organization, and our Canada Revenue Agency number is 81811 7368 RR0001.
For a time, we operated under an umbrella association of Recovery Associations in BC, as did several other associations. In 2017 we, along with some other Associations on Vancouver Island, separated from this umbrella organization. We felt that we could better serve the Saanich Peninsula and surrounding areas more effectively as a smaller and locally operated Association. Since that time, we have been independently governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, and all of our operations are staffed by volunteers.
Our Volunteers
Our volunteers are the heart and soul of our Association! Every aspect of our Association is facilitated by volunteers, except our Movement and Communication programs. These volunteers, many of whom are Board members, plan and organize entertainment, arrange for community presentations and speakers, facilitate the Caregiver Support Group, and set up and take down the hall each week. Additionally, we have a core group of dedicated volunteers who run the hospitality program, making sure that everyone is welcomed with tea, coffee, and cookies as soon as they arrive for the Social Hour!
Without all of these dedicated and hardworking people, it would be impossible to keep our Association going. We are very grateful for the effort and commitment of our steadfast volunteers, and we are always looking for additional volunteers to help lighten the load!
Our Board of Directors
Gord Carey
President
Gord was born and raised in the Saanich Peninsula area. For nearly 30 years he worked in the transportation industry, with HandyDart in Victoria, BC and for a similar service in Edmonton, Alberta. After living in Alberta for 22 years, Gord and his wife Theresa (the current Secretary/Treasurer) were able to realize their goal of moving back to the Saanich Peninsula in retirement. Gord has been involved
with the SPSRA in some capacity since 2017, when his mother was affected by a stroke. He wanted to give back to the Association that has been so helpful to both of his parents. So, in 2024 he joined the Board in the capacity of Treasurer, and recently took on the role of President.
David Lawrence
Vice President
Dave graduated with a Masters degree in Electrical Engineering from McMaster University. He spent most of his adult years in and around Ottawa, Ontario where he led a very active life cycling, sailing and canoeing. In 2004 he suffered a debilitating stroke that left him with little use of his left side. Nonetheless, Dave recovered sufficiently to move to Sidney a year later. He can now often be seen around the Peninsula aboard his modified recumbent trike.
Theresa Carey
Secretary/Treasurer
Theresa is a UVic graduate, and in 2023 she retired from public service as a psychologist in the Alberta health care system. While she and her husband Gord (the current President) were living in Alberta for many years, they would visit the Saanich Peninsula regularly to visit friends and family. When Gord’s mother was affected by a stroke in 2017, attending the SPSRA meetings became part of these visits. Upon relocating permanently to the Saanich Peninsula in the Fall of 2023, Theresa became a member of the SPSRA, eventually taking on the role of Secretary in 2024, and adding the role of Treasurer later that same year.
Diana Abbott
Holly McKay
Sylvia Bell
Bill Maund
Ralph Carey
Len Reid