"In loving memory of Don Reed."
The words are displayed for all to see on the passenger side of the brand new handibus that was officially added to the Rockyview Regional Handibus Society's fleet today (Thursday, April 11).
Paul Siller of the society was handed the keys by Don's wife Margaret Reed, who was accompanied by daughter, Kelly, and granddaughter, Chelsea, on the brisk morning in front of Margaret's GlenEagles home with the bright, white bus parked in front.
The family, in honour of Don who died June 26, 2017, donated $98,000 to the society – $88,000 of which was used to purchase a new bus – as a way of showing their gratitude for the society's transportation help in Don's final years.
"We started using the handibus and they just treated us so well," said Margaret, adding that Don "loved riding the bus."
With seven doctors and more appointments than Margaret could keep up with, the family began to use the society's services. Margaret said it was a great relief to not worry about driving on busy roads in Calgary she was not comfortable driving on in order to get Don safely to his many medical appointments.
"The bus would drop him off at Foothills at Tom Baker. They would get him through the doors ... it just helped. It was such a relief," said Don's daughter, Kelly.
On the opposite side of the bus is the Cochrane Rotary Club logo proudly displayed – another group Margaret is grateful for.
"Don belonged to the Rotary (for many years) and Glen Gryzko from the Rotary helped get it done," said Margaret, gesturing to the bus behind her.
For Siller, the bus will provide some relief to provide safe, timely services to some 12,000 regional ridership members – 4,000 of whom are Cochranites – and the 12,000 Rocky View Schools ridership members.
The fleet for the society, which has notoriously run on a shoestring budget , is now up to 20. The new bus features ample storage and can transport eight ambulatory riders and two wheelchairs (or four of each).
To learn more or donate to the society's fleet campaign, visit rockyviewbus.ca.
