The staff and children of Hope's Home in Prince Albert were surprised with a new wheelchair van in Prince Albert on Thursday. (Ian Gustafson/paNOW Staff)

By Ian Gustafson

Pleasant Surprise

Hope’s Home in Prince Albert receives new wheelchair van

Aug 5, 2021 | 4:39 PM

Thanks to multiple donations and a successful fundraiser, Hope’s Home surprised their staff and children with a brand-new $67,000 wheelchair van on Thursday.

Regional fundraising manager with Hope’s Home Mickey MacGillivray told paNOW their fundraising dollars are used at other Hope’s Home locations across the province but some of the raised money stays local for projects such as this.

“We do have our bigger van with our supportive living kids,” she said. “(However) it’s often one child who has an appointment, lots of appointments in Saskatoon, so to take that big van is just a lot of money and this is just going to be so much more convenient, comfortable travel for everybody.”

The new vehicle was made possible by receiving a grant through Affinity Credit Union, an anonymous donor and money raised at their seventh annual golf tournament in Prince Albert where they raised just under $18,000. Local Canadian Tire owner Malcolm Jenkins has also been a presenting sponsor and donor of their golf tournament.

She said they didn’t tell anyone at Hope’s Home they were receiving the new van as a surprise, but it’s been at the top of their wish list.

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“We’ve known for a month, but we had to keep it a secret because this is really special,” she said.

MacGillivray said they have six, sometimes eight children, who live with them who need to go to appointments, and it will be more convenient for trips around the city as well.

Malcolm Jenkins, middle, and Jacqueline Tisher, right, pose in front of the brand new van. (Submitted photo/Mickey MacGillivray)

CEO and Founder of Hope’s Home Jacqueline Tisher explained the van can fit two wheelchairs at a time.

“A lot of the specialists are obviously at the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital, so going there for appointments it just makes it easier than taking the bus,” Tisher said. “The bus is great when you can take the kids in one big outing, and we’ll use that for more group events.”

Tisher and MacGillivray both would like to thank everyone who donated and helped them along the process. More Hope’s Home events are coming up.

“A huge thank you to anyone who participates in our golf tournament, our Swinging with the Stars is upcoming so another huge fundraiser and just to see the support from P.A. is unreal. So to give something like this back is so awesome,” MacGillivray added.

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Ian.Gustafson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @IanGustafson12