Pictured above:  Top Row Left to Right: Gord Pike, Owen Dods, Cole Cochran, Bonnie Pike Bottom Row Left to Right: Sawyer Dods, Hunter Smith, Isabelle Smith, Myah Cochran, Isla Cochran.

Gord Pike moved to Almonte in 1976 and he wasn’t even sure he was going to stay. He had been looking for a new business venture, and someone suggested a grocery store in Almonte. “I wasn’t even sure exactly where Almonte was, or whether the grocery business would be a fit for me,” said Pike, but now 42 years later he looks back with pride on the success he has enjoyed, the family he has raised, and how important the Almonte community is to him.

That is why he, and his wife Bonnie, have made a five-year pledge to the ‘Put Yourself in the Picture’ campaign in support of new diagnostic imaging equipment. “The Hospital is very important to us as a family and to this community,” says a proud Grandpa. “Seven of our eleven grandchildren are looked after by Doctors in our Ottawa Valley Family Team in Almonte.  All four of my grandchildren were born at Almonte General Hospital, so I know what great care the Birth Centre provides.”  Gord also acknowledges that quality health care allows people to stay living in the region, and attracts new residents to put down roots here as well.

Thankfully, Gord hasn’t had to use the Hospital too often himself, but he takes comfort in knowing that it is in Almonte, and well equipped with wonderful resources.  “Any of the experiences that I or my family have personally had with the Hospital and staff have been great.”

In 1976, Gord thought he might keep the grocery store for a few years, see if he could grow the business and then sell it and move on.  He kept it for more than a few years, 25 years to be exact and then he did sell it but had no intention of moving on.  This has definitely become his home and that is why he has ‘Put Himself in the Picture’.

For more information on supporting the campaign to replace all of the diagnostics imaging equipment at the Hospital and bring a CT scanner here as well, please visit: www.almontehospitalfoundation.com