While it may sound a bit corny, Elk Run Assisted Living is ready to take residents “on the road again.”
The Evergreen facility purchased a used bus that seats 11 and has room for five wheelchairs, so all residents can go on outings, shopping and sightseeing, something that has been much more difficult since the pandemic.
Executive Director Kristen Fite said excursions stopped during the pandemic, and then the facility’s bus broke down and needed to go to “bus heaven.” The facility, which is a nonprofit, began raising money to purchase another bus.
The bus already is equipped with seats and a wheelchair lift — everything needed to get all residents no matter how mobility impaired out and about again.
Staff members said for the past three years, some residents felt trapped at the building because they couldn’t join fellow residents on outings.
Barre McKee, director of therapeutic activities, tried to find other ways to transport residents, though much of public transportation is not equipped to handle those using walkers and wheelchairs. Residents’ families helped out, too.
“Our residents live with so many limitations as it is,” McKee said. “Getting on a bus should not be one.”
The 20 people who donated money to purchase the bus have been lifesavers for the facility, Fite said.
Residents and staff had a party on March 3 to celebrate the vehicle’s arrival with residents taking turns checking out the bus and taking rides to Elk Meadow.
“Perseverance has been our motto,” Fite told residents, noting that in addition to needing a bus, the facility also experienced a flood that did extensive damage to the dining room in December 2021.
Melony Smith of Evergreen was a major donor to the bus-procurement effort. She donated in memory of her mom, Sylvia Sholes, who lived at Elk Run for two years before passing away. Smith cut the ribbon to celebrate the bus, noting that March 3 would have been her dad Bud Sholes’ 100th birthday.
“I know they are both celebrating this bus,” she said. “My mom never stopped looking for adventure.”
A kind, generous person, Sylvia Sholes never knew a stranger, and at Elk Run, she greeted anyone who walked through the door, Smith said.
Elk Run resident Walt Nees was the first to use the lift to get into the bus. Nees uses a walker, so he isn’t able to get up the steps to get into the vehicle.
His daughter Ginny Zachman of Evergreen said she was thrilled that Elk Run now has the handicapped-accessible bus, nothing that whenever her dad wanted to go on an outing, she needed to be available to take him.
Now he can go whenever he wants, she said, adding: “This bus will help keep him busy, occupied and happy.”
