By Treena Mielke
The Blindman Handi-vans are two most valuable resources for Rimbey.
However, the volunteer drivers who operate the out-of-town vehicle are getting up in years and more volunteers are needed.
One of the drivers, Al Elliott stopped by the Rimbey Review office to chat the other day. He has been driving the handi-van for 10 years.
“All of our drivers have too much gray hair,” he said, with a chuckle. “We are all getting up there and we could certainly use a couple more drivers.”
The small handi-van, offering seniors and others in need of transportation, out-of-town transport for medical appointments. The van can seat four passengers including someone in a wheelchair and will travel to Red Deer, Ponoka, Lacombe, Calgary or Edmonton. Cost is 55 cents per kilometer.
The larger van mostly stays in town picking up passengers who need to go to medical appointments, shopping or to buy groceries. The cost for transportation in this van is $5 for a one way trip, $7 for a round trip and $1 for each extra stop.
The Royal Canadian Legion, Branch #36, Rimbey, was the organization promoting the purchase of a van which would be used to provide services to veterans and their widows and families, as well as provide aid and support to other worthy community projects.
The Legion purchased the first van, a Dodge B250, maxi-van on June 30, 1986.
The Blindman Handi-van Society was incorporated on Oct. 6, 1986.
For more information onctact Barbara at 403-843-2844 or Al at 1-403-748-2767.