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How Does It Work?
By now, most of you
have seen the shinny, new, white and blue Council On Aging van driving
through the streets of Hamilton and Wenham. The arrival of this van
has long been anticipated and is the culmination of many years of hard
work and diligence by many dedicated and concerned citizens of
Hamilton and Wenham as well as the area agency on aging, SeniorCare,
in Gloucester. Senior citizens and disabled people of all ages have
been thrilled to use this long awaited transportation service. They
know that it is a key element in maintaining their independence,
freedom and happiness as well as often allowing them to stay in their
own homes and apartments.
The following are
questions that are regularly asked about the COA van service.
Besides providing
transportation to senior citizens in Hamilton and Wenham, does the
Council On Aging Van Program provide service to any other town
residents?
Yes, besides
servicing Hamilton and Wenham seniors who are 60 year of age or older,
the COA Van Program provides transportation to handicapped citizens of
all ages including those that are in wheelchairs. The van is equipped
with a special wheelchair lift and all van drivers have been through a
special training program so that they can provide transportation to
the handicapped.
I have used COA
van to get to the meal site and doctors appointments, is there
anything else that I can use the van for?
This is a question
that is often asked. The van program’s main objective is to help
provide and support independence in the lives of senior citizens and
the handicapped. Thus, the van can bring its riders to hair
appointments, grocery shopping, visits with friends, restaurants,
churches, libraries and meetings with different organizations as well
as just about any destination within the Hamilton and Wenham town
lines.
Does the van go to
any places outside of Hamilton and Wenham?
The van regularly
goes to the Beverly Hospital Campus for doctor visits as well as the
North Beverly Shopping Plazas. One can also go to the Bennett
Center at Gordon College for swimming, exercising or physical therapy.
On the fourth
Saturday of each month a Rotary volunteer drives the van to the
Peabody and Danvers Malls. Seniors are picked up at their residences
starting at 10 a.m. and returned by 2 p.m. A donation of $1 is kindly
accepted. Reservations must be made by the day before the trip.
Does the van
program provide any special services?
The van is now
available to bring senior citizens and the handicapped to vote in
Hamilton and Wenham. It is also available to bring these citizens to
the annual town meetings with advance notice.
Does the van ever
do special trips?
Yes, the van is
available after its regular hours and Saturdays and Sundays for
special trips outside of the Hamilton and Wenham town lines such as
shopping trips to The Christmas Tree
Shops, shows at the Northshore Music Theatre, museums and theatre
trips to Boston, movies, restaurants and just about any trip that one
can imagine. All one has to do to arrange this type of trip is to
make sure a volunteer driver is available and a sufficient amount of
people are interested in going to this destination.
How do I become a
volunteer driver?
A volunteer driver
must have a good driving record, be of sound health and provide three
good references. He/she must also have an amicable personality and a
good sense of humor.
Is there a fee for
these transportation services?
Although there is no
fee for these services, a voluntary donation of $1 per trip is
welcomed. The donations collected will go towards the maintenance of
the van program.
Is there anything
else I need to know about the COA Van Program?
The hours for van
services are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Reservations are arranged on a first come first serve basis by calling
978-468-5534. Please call a day in advance or up to one week in
advance if it is convenient. Please keep in mind, that we are
always open to, and warmly encourage, new ideas concerning special or
regular trips. We are here to provide as much support and independence
in the lives of our riders as possible and in a safe, friendly and
joyful manner.
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If you have
further questions concerning van transportation, are willing to
share some new ideas for trips or wish to volunteer as a van
driver, please contact the COA Van Office
at 978-468-5534.
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