Rocky View Handibus — Fundraising for new vehicles became a little easier at Rocky View Regional Handibus, when two Calgary service clubs committed a total of $30,000 to the campaign. The Rotary Club of Calgary Olympic and the Associated Commercial Travellers both contributed to a previous campaign in 2005. Their donations, plus a donation from EnCana, means Rocky View Handibus has achieved about 20 per cent of its $240,000 goal.
"It is wonderful to have old friends back on board. Donations have been a little slow this winter. I’m learning that a capital campaign is a full-time task in addition to being manager and spare driver," Rocky View Handibus manager Paul Siller said. "It hasn’t helped that we have been working without a spare vehicle since December. Life around here is stressful when we have nothing available to cover a vehicle breakdown."
Fundraising for vehicles started in fall 2006, with a goal of two new vehicles. In December, a minor traffic collision from an uninsured driver wrote off one of the vehicles. A new goal of three buses was set. More than 50 proposals have been sent and more effort is forthcoming.
Operating just outside the Calgary city limits, Rocky View Regional Handibus provides a weekday service in an area that is three times the size of Calgary. Eight buses provide trips for education, medical appointments and even groceries. With a big region to cover, it can be difficult to accommodate many of the trips with a limited number of buses. Newcomers to the region who once relied on Calgary’s Handibus receive a big surprise when they find out just how limited the service is.
"People ask us about weekend and evening service ... we have trouble paying the bills for a weekday service," Siller said. "Last year, less than 20 per cent of our funding came from government sources."
Despite no direct provincial assistance, the organization is receiving more help from the communities with which it works. Crossfield and Rocky View have found a bit more cash for operating funds and Chestermere is willing to support a 12-month pilot project as soon as a bus can be put on the road.
"Just when we get more support, we start losing buses to attrition," Siller said. "It must also be frustrating to municipalities. They have to provide the local transportation services for provincial home-based care programs. The municipality supports us financially, while the province reaps the savings."
With a goal of $240,000, Siller still has work to do - more proposals to write and a casino to organize for June 14-15.
"With our client list it can be difficult to round up the 25 volunteers, especially if the casino is on a weekday," he said. "We could really use a few more people for the casino. We are looking at $35,000 if 25 people give us a day of their time."
For more information on the campaign or volunteering for the casino, contact Rocky View Handibus at 948-2887 or visit: www.rockyviewbus.ca
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