WESTERN MANITOULIN—After months of fundraising and organization to provide free wheelchair accessible bus service for the resident of Manitoulin Lodge and individuals living in Western Manitoulin with accessibility needs, the Angel Bus made its inaugural run on April 22, 2015. Its use through the rest of that year, along with wonderful support from the community, clearly demonstrated the viability of the Angel Bus Project.
And that initial success has become even more remarkable. The Angel Bus committee is predicting over 125 bus outings of individuals or groups for the 2016 year. Given an average of five riders per outing this would translate to 625 times in 2016 that the life of a Lodge resident or home-based community member with accessibility needs has been normalized or enriched because of the Angel Bus service. This success led the Angel Bus Committee to purchase a better vehicle in October.
The initial Angel Bus, an older, inexpensive model with almost 300,000 kilometres on it, was purchased to test the project’s viability. It served this purpose well and was recently sold for $7,800. The newer bus at a cost of $38,985 comes with a low 54,000 kilometres and several improvements. It has a more powerful engine to more safely handle the highway driving required for long distance outings such as medical appointments in Sudbury. It has a well-insulated unibody construction for improved rider comfort in both the heat of summer and the cold of winter.
Riders are also very pleased that the seats on the new bus face forward as some found the previous sideway facing seats disorienting. With its four double seats folded to the wall the bus can handle up to six wheelchairs. It has a maximum capacity of nine passengers which keeps it in F class category for driver certification.
The bus also has improved storage capacity especially with its new wheelchair/walker storage rack built and donated by Bill Riach. It is expected that this newer bus will provide 10 years of service.
Through the wonderful ongoing financial support of the Western Manitoulin community, approximately $15,000 remains in the Angel Bus coffers after the sale of the old bus and purchase of the new. Along with proceeds from annual fundraising efforts such as the Spring-Wing-Ding Dance in May, and a planned Valentine’s Evening of Love Songs and Poetry Fun, featuring Paul Best, at the new Main Street Café in Kagawong, this money will be used to cover annual costs such as maintenance, insurance and driver certification.
Also new on the Angel Bus scene is dispatcher Shirley Farquhar taking over from Sharon Montgomery who was instrumental in the initial success of the bus. It is now Shirley’s role to match one of the 12 volunteer drivers with outing request from Lodge or community members who fit the accessibility need criteria. Shirley can be reached at 705-282-7732.
Given the increased usage of the service, new drivers are always welcome to join in on the positive camaraderie of the current group and can do so by contacting Sandy Cook at 705-282-8876. Guy Nielen has taken on the role of driver trainer.
Community support in funding has continued to amaze the Angel Bus Committee. To date in 2016 $42,814.67 has been raised. Significant contributions from Manitoulin Transport and LaFarge Inc. started the year off wonderfully while donations from smaller businesses, service groups, churches and individuals over the months add up incredibly. Donations of $1,000 or more are recognized by signage on the bus itself. Currently it is festooned with 17 such recognition decals.
Some recent examples of generosity and community mindedness adding together in major support are, The Western Manitoulin Pastoral Charge donating over $1,000 through individual member donations and a Remembrance Day Potluck, the Gore Bay Lion’s Club giving $1,000, Macnab Transport from whom the new bus was purchased donating back $1,000, Manitoulin Lodge Residents Council donating its winnings of $700 from a Jarlette Homes contest for the most entries in the “betterseniorscare.ca” campaign and Dean’s Valu-Mart adding $590 through its check-out campaign. This support has made feasible the purchase of a bus much better suited to the needs of its ridership and played a huge role in the many special stories that come from that.
One such story is that of a new resident who arrived at the lodge wheelchair bound. She was very determined in her goal of walking again. However, this would require much medical assistance and several trips to Sudbury to get a prosthetic leg. Fortunately, through the availability of the Angel Bus, its volunteer drivers and her own pluck she was able to realize this important personal goal. What did she do with the medical travel grant cheques she received from the government for those trips? She donated them to the Angel Bus.
