Residents thrilled with new bus

On behalf of the residents and staff at Richmond Lions Manor, I would like to thank the Richmond Hospital/Healthcare Auxiliary for presenting us with a new bus. Their generous donation was announced last week at their Annual General Meeting but we have been using the bus since it was delivered about a month ago.

The new state-of-the-art bus is fully automatic – with power doors, windows and everything else – and offers four wheelchair spaces. It provides a number of benefits for residents, including:

• promotes community awareness by going places like Richmond Centre, the Spagetti Factory for lunch outings and the River Rock Casino for some fun.
• allows residents to return to familiar destinations such as Spanish Banks or Queen Elizabeth Park and to go to new places like the Reifel Bird Sanctuary.
• promotes socialization with other residents, volunteers, staff and people within the community.
• enables residents to have a change in their daily routine.

Both staff and residents love the bus. Here are just a few of their comments:

• “The bus means a lot to me. It’s nice to get out and see other people and things.”
• “I like the bus because I get to go places that I have never been to before. I look forward to it.”
• “The bus makes me feel good and happy. I always liked to get out on the bus before I came here. It’s nice to see the scenery and get away for awhile.”
• “The bus helps me keep my independence.”
• “A change is as good as a rest. I like the bus, the drivers and the lunch outings.”

For those interested in these kinds of things . . . the bus is a 2013 Goshen Coach, 27 feet long, 14,500 lbs – GWVR.It has a Triton 6.8 litre V10 gas engine and it can transport 25 passengers.