A brand new mid-sized bus will be joining the Rocky View Regional Handi Bus Society (RVRHS) fleet in the new year after the loss of a wheelchair accessible minivan late November prompted Rocky View residents to donate $95,025 to cover the cost of a replacement.
Jack Anderson, an able-bodied 88-year-old rancher who has resided in the Springbank area for the past 35 years, was inspired to help RVRHS replace the vehicle after reading the article published in the Dec. 8 edition of the Rocky View Weekly detailing the organization’s misfortune after the minivan collided with a deer along Highway 1A near Glendale Road.
“I couldn’t understand why such a valuable service would have so much difficulty raising money,” he said. “I thought I’d help them.”
Paul Siller, RVRHS general manager, had asked that any residents or companies in Rocky View County (RVC) wanting to be involved with charitable donations to look at the essential service RVRHS provides within their communities and hopefully consider donating.
He noted the difficulties the organization has faced in the past, including fundraising for 30 months to be able to put a new vehicle into service back in September, citing the fact it has been hard for RVRHS to reach an emotional level that pushes someone to actually give.
“We’re the sidewalks that you don’t know are missing until you have to walk on them,” he said. “I was pleasantly surprised that someone in the community stepped up so quickly.”
The amount to replace the minivan was $61,000, according to Siller.
About 10 minutes after providing a family member with information detailing the services RVRHS provides and the needs it has, Anderson contacted Siller and asked him if he needed a small bus or a large bus.
Siller explained to Anderson about how beneficial a multi wheelchair mid-sized bus could be and Anderson, without hesitation, donated a cheque on Dec. 14 for $75,000 to make that a reality.
The bus, which was approved for purchase during a board meeting on Dec. 17, can support up to four passengers in wheelchairs and will be in service by mid to late February of 2016.
“This bus will allow us to (transport multiple passengers) and be a little more efficient,” Siller said.
He added the community really came through and pulled RVRHS’s “fat out of the fire” this time.
There are more challenging times ahead for the organization though, he said, as three vehicles are scheduled for retirement in 2016.
RVRHS received another generous donation of $20,000 from a Rocky View County family in Bearspaw on Dec. 24.
Siller noted a single online donation of $25 also came about after the accident and wanted to remind residents that every donation to RVRHS, no matter the amount, helps the organization continue offering its essential service to all who need it.
“We have been fortunate that some really great people who reside in our service district over the past 10 years have stepped forward and really helped us out,” he said. “We greatly appreciate their help.”
