Building on its 31-year success of providing transportation for seniors and people with disabilities in Bridgewater and nearby communities, the “Senior Wheels Association” has transitioned to “Lunenburg County Wheels.”
The Kiwanis Club of Bluenose Golden K received its charter on September 29, 1989.
As one of its community service initiatives, the new club undertook to provide transportation for seniors needing to keep doctors and hospital appointments. The Senior Wheels service was born with a mandate “To provide a free transportation service for seniors and those with special needs and other mobility clients.”
A one-ton wheelchair accessible bus was purchased with a number of Kiwanians co-signing the loan. The new bus made its first pick-up on June 9, 1992. Four buses later, we took ownership of our fifth bus in July 2019. This service has remained free for all eligible passengers.
In 1994 Bridgewater resident Pauline Levy became the 10,000th passenger. Hazel Weagle was the 50,000th and Marion Wentzell became our 150,000th passenger in 2011. Our 200,000th passenger was Faith McKay.
From our humble beginning, when Kiwanis President Bruce Carroll and Kiwanian Geoff Bennett ran the Senior Wheels dispatch system from their kitchen tables to the present, we continue to carry out the mandate set out by the first Board of Directors in 1992.
Kiwanian and Senior Wheels Board member Geoff Bennett designed the Senior Wheels logo.
Senior Wheels has successfully operated as a volunteer based not-for-profit society registered under the Societies Act of Nova Scotia. It is truly a dedicated volunteer organization with a volunteer board, volunteer administration, and volunteer drivers. It is the epitome of community engagement and commitment.
Our Current Aspirations
With success comes demand. Until recently, Senior Wheels has operated in a confined geographic area defined as within seven (7) kilometers of the boundary of the Town of Bridgewater. The remaining area of the Municipality of Lunenburg is one of the few remaining areas in the Province not served by a community based accessible transportation service. We intend to fill that void by expanding our geographic area to include the entire area, including the Towns of Lunenburg, Mahone Bay, and Bridgewater [as “Lunenburg County Wheels”].
While the task is daunting, we are up to the challenge. We know we have the support of the municipal units and the province of Nova Scotia. We have applied to the Rural Transit Solutions Fund for a fleet of four additional vehicles. Our reputation in the community augers well for our expansion plans.
In preparation for this expansion, we are refining our governance structure and policies and contemplating an increase in the number of board members.
This is our invitation to you to join us in this advancement of our success.
Melba Lantz, former President, Senior Wheels Association
September, 2022
