By Sarah Wallace

Radiothon to raise funds for senior transport service

Sep 29, 2016 | 10:00 AM

An annual fundraiser for Prince Albert’s Seniors Transportation Program is finally here.

The Two Miles for Mary radiothon and breakfast takes place this Friday, Sept. 30 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Seniors Heritage Center.

Bill Powalinsky, chief executive officer of the Community Services Center, said the program helps over 100 seniors every year get to where they need to be. 

The funds raised through the radio-a-thon go towards funding door to door transportation for seniors who can’t take regular transit.

“We offer assisted service helping our passengers in and out of the vehicle, assisting with parcels and walking aides. An attended service is available at no extra cost so our seniors can pre-arrange with dispatch to have their own attendant who rides for free,” Powalinsky explained.

Battle ready

Predators set to defend title as new PGLL season approaches

6h ago

Riderville

Riders Have Options Heading into Tuesday CFL Draft

11h ago

Weekend hockey

PAGC set to host largest Senator's Cup tournament to date

12h ago

Last year’s fundraiser brought in $23,639 and saw almost 7,000 trips given to seniors in the city.

Powalinsky said they even made 68 trips to Saskatoon for doctor appointments.

Every year the fundraiser picks a ‘Mary’ as their spokesperson for the year.

The name represents a passenger who would use the service. Two miles represents the typical trip a senior would take to run an errand near home.

Powalinsky said they often hear from passengers that without the service they wouldn’t be able to go out within the community.

“That’s something we hear quite constantly, people want to remain engaged but for various reasons. Maybe they’ve never driven, maybe they aren’t comfortable driving anymore … so for many reasons folks prefer to use our service,” he said.

In 2015 Eleanor George was chosen to be a spokesperson for the year and will be handing over the reins at this year’s fundraiser.

She said she’s proud to represent the program and said it’s a very necessary company in the city.

“When you can’t drive, you just lose everything. To keep our program going we need help to keep the program going,” she said.

George said she uses the program as often as she needs to go get groceries, get to doctor appointments and to go meet friends.

Now that she will be handing over the reins to another Mary, George will join the board for the program.

I’ll “continue to promote Two Miles for Mary as part of my day to day talking to people, and encouraging people, wherever I happen to be, I promote Mary,” she said.

To make a donation this Friday between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. call 306-763-MARY (6279).

–EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was changed on Sept. 29 at 11:56 a.m. to correct information. The radiothon takes place at the Seniors Heritage Center, not the Kinsmen Heritage Center.

swallace@panow.com

On Twitter and Instagram: @sarahthesquid