It was a welcome sight this week when a new van arrived at Veterans Place in Yarmouth, where a more official celebration of the vehicle’s arrival is planned for Tuesday, July 16.
The new van cost $106,000 and it replaces one that was 17 years old.
Don McCumber, who chaired the fundraising campaign for the van – an effort initiated by the Royal Canadian Legion branches in Zone 12 – said the campaign went well.
“We were very pleased with the response from the community,” he said. “A number of people made donations in memory of their family members that had served and the response from the legions was great and the municipalities. We had no problem at all getting funds that were needed.”
The Zone 12 legion branches are Yarmouth, Wedgeport, West Pubnico, Cape Sable and Lockeport.
The new van can accommodate 14 people, with up to four wheelchairs. The van would be put to use pretty soon, McCumber said.
“There are events planned in the very near future for them (Veterans Place residents) to go out, so we’re pleased with that,” he said.
As for the activity that’s on tap for July 16, he said it will basically be an open house, a chance to thank those who contributed to the campaign and for them and members of the public to stop by, see the van and maybe chat with the veterans.
It is scheduled for 1:30 to 3 p.m. (Veterans Place is part of the Yarmouth Regional Hospital complex.)
McCumber said he and others involved in the campaign are grateful to everyone for their efforts related to the van project, including staff at Veterans Place and the Nova Scotia Health Authority.
“We’re just happy to have the project completed, the van delivered, and I’m sure the veterans are going to enjoy their outings,” McCumber said.
While the fundraising campaign for the purchase of the van may be over, he said, donations are still welcome to help cover costs for other things such as painting the vehicle.
