On May 2, 1982 a meeting was held at Sampo Hall to bring the proposal to the wider Finnish community. Some 75 persons attended this meeting at which time an interim steering committee was elected. Events moved forward at a rapid pace. On May 30, the name, constitution and bylaws of the Society were approved at the founding meeting held at Voima Hall with 82 in attendance. A Board of Directors was also elected.
Under the guiding hand of the Board a building committee, finance committee and ladies auxiliary group (known as the Ladies of the Finnish Rest Home Society) were established. The latter group immediately began an energetic program of fund-raising through the promotion of craft bazaars and the sale of Finnish baked goods.
An important step was taken on June 21 when a long-range goal was approved to provide a phased senior’s facility providing three levels of care: Phase 1 for self-care apartments (Finlandia-Koti); Phase II for residential care (Palvelukoti); and finally, Phase III for extended care (Hoitokoti). With the assistance of Teuvo Eloranta, notary public and Honourary Finnish Consul, the Sudbury Finnish Rest Home Society was legally incorporated by Letters Patent as a private non-profit corporation without share capital on November 30, 1982.