The Handicapped Organization Promoting Equality held an official opening for their new building on Bond Street last night.
Plans for a new centre were put into high gear in last winter when a broken pipe flooded their former headquarters on Main Street.
There was barely standing room only last night at the new centre.
Long-time advocate for persons with disabilities Bill Crawford joined the board of HOPE in its infancy.
He spoke fondly and with emotion, of the late Eleanor Cottreau, HOPE coordinator for 28 years and who passed away in 2014.
“I worked with Eleanor for over 20 years and we had one of the best working relationships anybody could have. We’re here today today to celebrate a building that was just a dream. Now it’s a reality. I believe that God created everybody equal. But He also intended that all of us participate in society fully, unimpaired, each day.
HOPE executive Director Linda Vickery was overwhelmed with the large number of people that turned out for the official opening.
“Just to see the turnout we have…it’s fantastic.”
Doug Thistle, HOPE, project coordinator and financial contributor, thanked the community for its generosity it has shown towards the Handicapped Organization Promoting Equality over the years.
He also said the Town of Yarmouth and the Municipalities of Yarmouth and Argyle supported the new building project.
HOPE was forced out of their old location at 84 Main Street last December after the building flooded when a pipe burst.