by Stacie Snow
The Big Hill Senior Citizens Activities Society (BHSCAS) received much-needed funds from the Cochrane Lions on Tuesday, Jan. 29.
The Lions donated $20,000 to the society as part of their continuing commitment to give back to the community.
The Lions donated $20,000 to the society as part of their continuing commitment to give back to the community.
“Throughout the year we raise between $70,000 and $100,000 from all our endeavors including the rodeo,
catering and other fundraisers and then we give that money back to worthy causes in the community,” said
Cochrane Lions president Reg Parker.
“Whenever we get a cause that is for kids or seniors we look into it because we raise the money right here in
the community and we should give it right back.
“Most seniors live off of $1,300 a month or less and they have no other income so if they didn’t have something
like this, they would be left out in the cold.”
Parker added that the BHSCAS only charges seniors $20 to drive them to the city, wait for them to have
treatment and drive them home.
“That doesn’t even cover the amount for the driver or half of the gas right now.”
The BHSCAS will use the money to cover operating costs for the three Handi Buses they use to bring elderly
patients to hospitals, doctor’s appointments and medical treatments including kidney dialysis and cancer
treatments.
According to BHSCAS president Maureen Wills, the influx of funds is greatly needed and much appreciated.
“Cochrane is a vibrant community with great volunteers and the Cochrane Lions have always been true to their
word,” said Wills who was a founding member of the BHSCAS when it was created in 1980.
“Every little bit helps and with inflation going the way it is, it is nice to know we have some money in the bank.”
The society also offers therapeutic trips that include day trips to malls, a bingo hall, day programs at Bethany
Care Centre and restaurants. These outing allow the seniors to get out and socialize, an option that may
otherwise not be available to them.
The money will go towards bus maintenance costs, gas, parts and tires and what Wills describes as
“outrageous insurance fees.”
“The government needs to step in with blanket insurance costs for operations like ours because even with the
help we get, we can barely get by,” she said.
The BHSCAS also receives grants from The Cochrane Foundation, Cochrane Activettes, Cochrane Fire and
EMS, Bearspaw Lions Club, private donors, the Town of Cochrane ($25,00 per year) and the MD of Rocky View
($15,000 this year).
The money from the Town and MD grants has been used to purchase a new bus for the society.
“It has been a long, hard drive applying for grants for 27 years, but we have had some people in the community
that are very generous because they realize that this service is essential in Cochrane,” said Wills.
She added that although the society is receiving funds fairly constantly, like every other business in Cochrane,
they are experiencing a shortage of workers.
“It is a full time job trying to find drivers to help out,” said Wills.
“Drivers earn a small amount per hour, much less than they could make in the city, and that is their contribution
to the community.”
Paul Bell, the vice president for the BHSCAS and Handi Bus driver agrees that it is difficult to find people willing
to work for the low pay “We have five drivers now and will soon have six but with the number of runs we do, that
just isn’t enough,” he said, adding that the society’s three buses serve approximately 250 regular clients in
Cochrane, Bearspaw, Redwood Meadows and Springbank.
“Even one or two more who were willing to work once a week would help out.”
If you are interested in driving a Handi Bus for the Big Hill Senior Citizens Activities Society or would like to
donate to the cause, call 932-8981, 932-5661 or 932-3445.
by Stacie Snow
The Cochrane Lions took the season of giving to heart this Christmas when they donated $30,000 to the
Flames Rotary Hospice for Children on Monday, Dec. 17.
This year’s Cochrane Lions Troy Thompson Medical Fund was presented to members of the Calgary Children’s
Hospital for the construction and upkeep of the hospice that is expected to break ground next spring.
Liz Ballendine, the manager of annual programs for the Albert Children’s Hospital Foundation, was speechless
when she saw the amount of the donation.
"We want everyone in the community to know how impressive it is that service clubs raise these sizable
donations," she said.
"It is impossible to put into words how grateful we are."
The $30,000 will help Alberta become a leader in Canada by building the sixth children’s hospice in the nation.
The 22,000 square foot facility, located beside the Calgary Children’s Hospital will contain 11 children’s rooms
and two family suites that will allow children from all over the province to live their last days in comfort and
surrounded by those they love.
"We want it to be like a home and have a feeling of security and comfort," said Kari Streelasky, manager of
major gifts at the Children’s Hospital.
A recent study conducted by the Alberta Children’s Hospital found that 400 families are in need of a free-standing
pediatric hospice and respite centre.
The new $10 million children’s hospice will provide essential care at one- third the cost of hospitalization and
will include respite care, transition care, symptom management and end-of-life care.
The Calgary Health Region has committed $2.1 million annually to cover operating costs.
The Rotary Clubs of Calgary and the Flames Foundation for Life have also provided a generous $2.5 million gift.
Bob Smid, the president of the Cochrane Lions was happy to be able to help local families in their time of need.
"A lot of kids from Cochrane and the area access health care in Calgary and the money we donate will go to
help children all over the province," he said.
The Cochrane Lions Troy Thompson Medical Fund was created in 1993 after Thompson, a local teenager with
cystic fibrosis, passed away from a long battle with the disease.
For the past 15 years, the Lions and Lionesses have been saving 10 per cent of all of their income from rodeos,
weddings, pancake breakfasts and other events to put towards the fund.
"We have done a number of projects over the years but this is the first time we have done one huge donation like
this," said Smid.
"This is a great cause that really deserved as much of our attention as possible."
In the past, the fund has helped families with sick kids with costs that are not covered by insurance, such as
travel to and from medical institutions across the country.
The fund has also been used to help families pay bills, buy wheelchairs, send disabled children to camp and for
rebreathers, a device that aids in breathing for children with cystic fibrosis.
In total, the fund has raised about $60,000 since it was created.
If everything goes according to plan, the Flames Rotary Hospice is expected to be completed and open to families
by the spring of 2009.