The Waynesboro Senior Center provides wheelchair accessible van transportation to the center for members in Waynesboro, Fishersville and Stuarts Draft who are unable to operate a vehicle, cannot easily access the public transportation system, or do not have alternative means of transportation available to them on a regular basis. Additionally, the vans are used to transport members to a variety of activities, errands and fun field trips that promote social interaction, and benefit a healthy lifestyle.
The vans are funded by the Federal Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT), local corporate and foundation support and individual donations. This summer, the van used in the Stuarts Draft area will be replaced by a newer model. Having the new van will allow the Center to continue to serve members who need to be lifted either to enter or exit a vehicle. The older van will be repaired so that it can become a backup vehicle for times when one of the two primary vans is having maintenance work done.
The federal grant from DRPT provides 80 percent toward the cost of the new van. The Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge awarded $3,000 towards the purchase price, leaving a funding gap of almost $7000 to be covered by corporate and individual contributions. A fund-raising drive targeted at Stuarts Draft businesses, organizations, churches and individual supporters begins June 2 to cover that gap.
Members and supporters who wish to make a contribution towards the purchase of the new van should send donations to Valley Program for Aging Services, Waynesboro Senior Center Van Match, P.O. Box 817, Waynesboro, Va 22980.
For more information about membership at the Center or transportation, contact center director, Karen Hurt: 540-942-1838.
More online at www.WaynesboroSeniorCenter.org.
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Chris Graham
