The following media release was received Mar.4, 2021.
The Barry’s Bay and Area Senior Citizens Home Support Services (BBAHS, or Home Support) transportation team is very excited to welcome a new vehicle into the area. This beautiful Ford Escape will soon be seen travelling throughout our area, transporting people to essential health and other appointments. Shown above are Alice Grenon, Community Support Services Manager for Carefor and Amanita Zadra-Brotton BBAHS Transportation Coordinator. (photo submitted) Carefor Health and Community Services, oversees the large regional transportation network, and readers will be familiar with their logo on the wheelchair and multi-passenger vehicles already in service locally under BBAHS management.
Driver, Mike Isbister, was not available for the photo. He told the team that this all-wheel drive vehicle will be of great assistance in reaching our more isolated neighbours, and that he looks forward to getting it on the road. The Escape is in the process of some COVID-19 retrofits to ensure barrier protection and ease of cleaning and will be put into service very soon.
As readers may know, our transportation service has continued throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic. For essential health services and urgent specialist appointments, we have been fortunate to have drivers and the ability to provide them with the training and protective equipment. “Our drivers have been true heroes throughout this pandemic, making trips for Dialysis and Cancer Care to name a few,” states BBAHS CEO, Joanne King.
We have also worked with community partners to help with food delivery (grocery store, food bank etc.), along with hot and frozen Meals on Wheels. Drivers, volunteers and staff have been working hard to help people survive and thrive during this difficult time. Since the beginning of April until the end of December (75 percent of our ‘fiscal year’) we have provided 4,366 meals. This represents almost double what our pre-COVID numbers would usually be after 12 month. We are so grateful to be able to work with community partners, staff and volunteers to provide this essential service.
Transportation services at the end of December show 2056 drives, which is somewhat lower than what we would usually expect to see after nine months of service, and we know it is because some medical trips were cancelled or converted to “virtual” appointments, due to emergency measures.
This vehicle was purchased through the efforts of Renfrew and Area Senior Home Support Executive Director, Dennis Harrington. We thank Dennis for his vision and collaboration in submitting a proposal on behalf of Community Support Service Agencies (of which BBASH is one) and for working to ensure good coordination and collaboration with the existing transportation collaborative.
Barry’s Bay and Area Senior Citizens Home Support Services is a health service provider funded by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care. Please call 613-756-2772 if you are interested in more information about any of our services.
Barry’s Bay and Area Senior Citizens Home Support Services(2021,Feb.26) Media Release New Ford Escape [media release]
Great news. You folks provide a wonderful service to our communities. Thank you.