Serving Those Who Served
Supporting dignity, independence, and connection for veterans at Ridgewood Veterans Wing.
For 50 years, the Saint John Community Foundation has helped turn generosity into meaningful change—supporting organizations, strengthening services, and improving quality of life across our community. At the heart of this work is a simple belief: when we invest in local needs, the impact is felt every day by the people those services support.
One powerful example of this impact can be seen at the Ridgewood Veterans Wing.
Ridgewood Veterans Wing has supported the needs of veterans since 1976, providing care, dignity, and a strong sense of community for those who have served. In 2020, as part of the Community Foundation’s Anniversary Grant program, $44,000 was granted to Ridgewood Veteran's Wing toward the purchase of an accessible wheelchair bus. This investment addressed a critical need—safe, reliable transportation for residents whose access to care and community depends on it.
Access to transportation is essential to residents’ health and well-being. On average, residents require transportation to approximately four medical appointments each week, including eye injections to prevent further vision deterioration, dental care, pacemaker follow-ups, wound care, oncology visits, surgical consultations, CT and MRI scans, and specialized footwear fittings. The accessible bus ensures residents can attend these appointments safely and comfortably, supporting both independence and continuity of care.
Recently, the Foundation followed up with the Ridgewood Veterans Wing team to learn more about how the bus has been serving residents. What they shared was clear: the impact has been meaningful and far-reaching.
Beyond medical appointments, the bus enables residents to remain active, engaged, and connected within the community. Veterans have participated in community Christmas parades, attended Veterans Dinners in Oromocto, and visited the Military Museum. They have enjoyed scenic outings through Rockwood Park and the Irving Nature Park, river drives to view winter ice shacks, summer trips upriver to Evandale, and ferry rides to the Kingston Peninsula—sharing meals and experiences along the way.
The bus has also made it possible for residents to gather at familiar local restaurants, fostering social connection, independence, and a sense of normalcy. These shared experiences play an important role in supporting mental health and overall quality of life.
As shared by the Ridgewood Veterans Wing team, the accessible wheelchair bus has had a meaningful and lasting impact on the residents and veterans they serve. More than a vehicle, it is a vital link to care, connection, and community.
As the Saint John Community Foundation reflects on five decades of service, stories like Ridgewood’s illustrate the true measure of community impact—thoughtful investment that strengthens essential services, supports dignity at every stage of life, and ensures that those who served our country remain connected to the care and community they deserve.