New wheels for Gloria
Committee witnesses delivery of like-new van
With just the push of a button, the van lowered, the side door slid open and a ramp unfolded.
And, for the first of what she hopes will be many trips, Gloria Ellsworth wheeled herself into her new-to-her van Wednesday. The 2009 Toyota Sienna is the end result of a fundraising campaign launched in late June to replace Ellsworth’s 1989 Econoline with a newer model wheelchair-accessible van.
“Sunroof, eh?” she said once in the van and taking her first look around. The campaign, bolstered by a Skit ‘n Skof concert, a ladies golf tournament, a run and bike-a-thon, raised $46,000. Numerous businesses and individuals, including people, who did not even know the St. Peter and St. Paul resident, gave donations for the cause.
The sale of another van, which was donated to her by a relative but could not be modified for her needs, was added to the fundraising campaign.
“It’s nice and smooth,” Ellsworth said after going for her first run with members of the fundraising committee.
Ellsworth said she surprised with how quickly the fundraising goal was reached. “I knew the people were generous,” she said, expressing her thanks for their gifts. “It went fantastic,” she said. She already has plans for her first big trip, a French dinner theatre in Egmont Bay Wednesday evening. Several members of her Wednesday night ladies group would be accompanying her in the van, she noted. A big plus with the modern vehicle is that she gets to sit at the same level as the other passengers and, depending on the number, can have the front passenger seat removed and sit up front.
Ellsworth said she looks forward to the opportunity the newer van presents for her to travel with her grandchildren and their children.
Ellsworth’s old van is going to be donated to a committee that is fundraising for two St. Louis area brothers who have mobility issues. The $46,000 raised does not include all donations realized through the campaign. On Tuesday a group arrived and painted Ellsworth’s fence, and on Wednesday, Trevor Murphy from Preston Murphy Trucking arrived and informed her they would be paving her driveway free of charge. The van was floated from a dealership in Ontario free of charge. Committee member Vernon Gaudette arranged with Michael Corcoran of Corcoran Farm Supply and Harmony Transport to pick up and deliver the vehicle, thus saving the committee considerably. All of the support means there is money left over which the committee will use to provide for other needs for Ellsworth, including a new specially fitted bed.