The 100 Elliot Lakers Who Care campaign, led by the local Rotary Club, has chosen its project for this year, a project for seniors.
Rotary club president, Shawn Heard, says so far $8,300 has been raised, with each donor making a $100 donation towards the campaign.
Heard says four projects were reviewed by those in attendance with the majority voting for Paul Eldon’s vision to purchase an electric-assisted tri-shaw to provide recreational outings for seniors living in the city’s three long-term care facilities.
Eldon, a volunteer with the Elliot Lake X-C Ski and Bike Club, says he is ready to train people as pilots, explaining that is what the organization, Cycling Without Age, calls the tri-shaw driver.
The project will now move ahead, and it is hoped to have the equipment available early in the New Year.
Cycling Without Age Canada describes their mission as, “Using specialized electric pedal-assisted trishaws each bicycle can carry up to two passengers on an adventure previously unimagined.
“Envision harkening back to youthful memories of exploration and discovery thought forever lost. Local volunteers called ‘pilots’ visit care homes, senior centers, and community groups to offer rides on the trishaw. Being outdoors, reconnecting in the community, and with the ‘pilots’ nurtures emotional well-being. Rides make passengers smile, bring back their memories, and allow them to be part of society again thereby renewing their appetite for life itself. It all starts with a bike ride!”
Previous 100 Elliot Lakers Who Care campaigns funded other community projects including the basketball court improvements at Kiwanis Park on Dieppe Avenue and terrain park equipment at Mt. Dufour Ski Hill.
