LEWISPORTE -
"The bus is very important to us (residents at North Haven Manor) because we use it to go shopping, to get ice cream, to visit other homes in the Central region. It might seem like small stuff to others, but to us it is a big deal."
That's the feeling of Viola Hutchings, a long-term care resident at North Haven Manor. She has initiated the Wheeling for Wheels fundraiser to go towards the campaign to raise $100,000 for a new wheelchair accessible bus.
The fundraising campaign began in December of 2009 as an initiative of the South and Central Health Foundation and the Central Northeast Health Foundation. The campaign has been a success thus far, with just over $11,000 left to raise for the bus that will be shared between North Haven Manor in Lewisporte and Lakeside Homes in Gander. In addition to providing residents with access to social activities, the bus is essential for taking residents to medical appointments as well.
Support
Ms. Hutchings is encouraging whoever would like to join her to take part in the wheel-a-thon wheelchair rally on Saturday, June 26.
"I would hope that people from Lewisporte and area would come out to take part in this," she said. "This bus is shared by everyone here, not just people from Lewisporte.
"There are people at North Haven Manor from most of the local communities. You never know when you may need to rely on the services of this bus, whether it be for yourself, family or friends."
Wheeling for Wheels will get underway at 10 a.m. on June 26 as Ms. Hutchings wheels from North Haven Manor to the Lewisporte Mall and back along with fellow residents and staff from North Haven Manor. Anyone interested in joining in can drop by North Haven Manor to pick-up a pledge sheet or to make a donation. Participants can also set up a Giving Page at Canadahelps.org to secure pledges.
editor@pilotnl.ca
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