By David F. Rooney
With a quilt raffle coming up, organizers are hoping to raise the profile of Revelstoke’s Volunteer Medical Transportation Program.
“This program has been set up to be a last option,” says Jean Pedersen, the Senior Citizens’ Association volunteer coordinator. “We request that people travel with family and friends first because it’s always better to go with someone you know or to arrange their appointments to accommodate the Health Connections Bus schedule. “
But if those options don’t work then this program is available to help people make it to their medical appointments.
“This program open to anyone in the community, not just seniors, but they must register with the program – preferably prior to needing transportation,” she said. “At present we have over 100 clients registered to use the program, although some of them have never had to avail themselves of the service. It is always wise to registered in advance.”
Pedersen said the program provided 83 drives between July 1, 2013, and June 30, 2014: 25 were to Kelowna; 13 to Kamloops, 25 to Vernon; 18 to Salmon Arm; and two to Armstrong. Fuel costs for those drives amounted to $6,920.
“Anyone in the community interested in helping us by volunteering to drive is more than welcome to apply,” she said. “Our volunteer numbers are constantly fluctuating and we are always in need of more volunteers.”
Money helps, too, hence the quilt raffle. Tickets for the raffle are $2 each and can be purchased Tuesdays through Fridays at the Seniors’ Centre from 9 am until noon. The winning ticket will be drawn during the Seniors’ Christmas Banquet on December 3. Second prize is a cross-stitch work of art by Marla Manson.
“With the rising price of fuel we implemented a user fee for clients and it the same as riding the Health Connections Bus — $5 each way. “Because we depend solely on donations and fundraising to assist our volunteers with fuel expenses and meal allowances we encourage clients to make a donation when they can. We also accept donations from anyone at anytime and have been gratefully funded by many groups and individuals from our generous community in the past. We also do fundraising projects of our own.”
Anyone in the community interested in helping this worthwhile program by volunteering to drive is more than welcome to apply. Its volunteer numbers are constantly fluctuating and it is always in need of more volunteers.
To volunteer for this program please contact Jean Pedersen at revelstokeseniors@rctvonline.net.
