Just two days after word went out about a seniors' home in Burnaby whose treadmill was recently stolen, a Burnaby company stepped up to replace the valuable item, free of charge.
"I think I'm in seventh heaven right now," said Eila Astells, resident of the seniors' home and one of the women who fundraised for the treadmill.
As reported by the Burnaby NOW last week, residents of Gustav Wasa Place seniors' home on Halifax Street were devastated when they found their cherished treadmill had been stolen.
Residents Astells and Helen Mojzes had spearheaded a fundraising campaign a number of years ago to buy the treadmill for the home. After a lot of hard work and dedication, the women had raised enough money to purchase the treadmill.
Last Thursday, the women were informed the treadmill had gone missing. They alerted police but without any leads or witnesses, Burnaby RCMP was forced to close the case.
Last Friday, Astells received a phone call from a representative of Fitness Town. The fitness equipment store told Astells they wanted to donate a new treadmill to Gustav Wasa Place.
"I can't get over it," she told the NOW over the phone. "Imagine, someone is going to give us a treadmill."
Astells was still in shock and said she couldn't believe someone would make such a kind donation, especially when she thought all hope was lost.
"When I phoned the police department, I just thought that would be it. That there was nothing at all and we'd just never know what happened to it, but now it's sort of escalated into all kinds of things," she said.
Fitness Town delivered the new treadmill on Oct. 2 and Astells said she couldn't wait to share the good news with everyone at the home. With the rainy weather settling in, she said the donation is coming right when they'll need it most.
"It's just so wonderful, it really is. ... It's just nice that people cared about it," she added.
