The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Jonathon Naylor Editor A lack of volunteers has question marks surrounding the future of a vital transportation service for seniors and the disabled. The Lions Handivan was recently parked for three weeks due to a lack of drivers, and organizers fear a permanent stoppage unless more helpers step forward. 'The sad reality is that if we are unable to attract some new volunteer drivers, it could mean the end of the Handivan service in Flin Flon,' says Monica Lone, chair of the Lions Club committee that oversees the van. Lone says the Handivan has about seven drivers, though two are out of the country, two are unable to drive very often and another is recovering from surgery. 'The drivers we have, some of them are getting tired because they usually take a week at a time, and that's a pretty busy week that they have sometimes,' she says. One of the drivers is expected to retire within about the next year, making the future seem that much more bleak. The volunteer shortage meant a temporary shutdown of the service for the first three weeks of January. Lone estimates that at least three or four additional drivers are needed 'so that no one driver has to carry the load.' More help Unless more help steps forward, she predicts the Handivan will be on the road for another year or two _ 'but it won't be a dependable service.' Usage varies, but Lone says as many as 10 to 15 clients rely on the van daily. Most are seniors, but the van also transports disabled people, including two handicapped students who take the vehicle to school. Medical appointments, shopping and social functions are among the many destinations of the riders. Riders often pay a suggested donation rate, which is kept affordable and, on average, covers fuel costs. Business sponsorships help pay for the other bills, such as maintenance. 'We're doing okay financially in terms of being able to pay all the bills,' says Lone, reiterating that the struggle is in finding drivers. 'If we had to hire a driver we'd be bankrupt in less than a year, because drivers don't come cheap.' See 'Excep...' on pg. 6 Continued from pg. 1 The Handivan generally operates during normal business hours Monday to Friday, but there are exceptions. There has been a Handivan service in Flin Flon since at least the early 1980s. In the initial arrangement, the Lions Club would raise the cash to purchase the vehicles while the Flin Flon Seniors took on day-to-day operations, including securing volunteer drivers. In 2008, however, the Lions took over the service in its entirety. As Flin Flon's population continues to grey, Lone agrees the Handivan service will grow only more vital. 'So it just shines a spotlight on how badly volunteers are needed,' she says. 'Our club itself is aging and the retired Lions that we have would not be able to drive the Handivan themselves. The younger members probably could, but they're working.' Lone notes that volunteer drivers only require a standard driver's license. For information on volunteering, contact her at 687-4925.
