New wheels keep VON moving

BY NANCY KELLY

Kings County Register

The Annapolis Valley branch of the VON has a new set of wheels.

It’ll work just fine, rolling out its Meals on Wheels program and complementing its line-up of community-based programs.

Scott Slipp, owner of Scott Slipp Nissan in Kentville, recently presented the VON with keys to a seven-passenger 2008 Nissan Quest on behalf of the Nissan Canada Foundation. This is the third van supplied by the Nissan Canada Foundation

Krista Laing, co-ordinator of community relations and development for the VON Valley branchc says the new van will continue to provide vital support to the Meals On Wheels program and will be instrumental in safely transporting clients to the VON’s Adult Day Centre in Berwick. “Having the van improves access to clients who might have transportation barriers,” says Laing. It’s also essential to the operation of VON Annapolis Valley’s community support programs, including delivery of the Frozen Favorites to communities in Kings County. The program provides frozen, reheatable meals that can be used at the client’s discretion. Laing says it’s a popular option for people in a variety of circumstances and, like other VON programs, it responds to the needs of the community. “As circumstances change for people, so do their needs. One of our goals is to address those changing needs,” explains Laing.

A less tangible, but equally important part of the van service is the social contact it provides for clients. “For many people we service, seeing a volunteer at the door once or twice a week is as comforting as the service itself.”

Laing adds the organization is fortunate to have the support of local groups and businesses, whose contributions to VON programming are instrumental in making a difference in people’s lives everyday.

The van’s lease is provided by the Nissan Foundation, but the cost of gas and insurance is picked up by VON. “And as costs associated with running the van are ever-increasing, we would certainly welcome community support or sponsorship for those expenses on a full or partial basis,” says Laing.