Seniors get around in style.
With the help from mayoral candidate George Smitherman, Silver Circle West Toronto Services for Seniors executive director Radosna Bijukovic, deputy mayor Joe Pantalone, and Jawad Kassab, past Silver Circle president of the board of directors, the new Silver Circle community bus is officially inaugurated with a splash of champagne March 24.
Staff photo/ANICE WONG
Silver Circle: West Toronto Services for Seniors clients are getting around these days in comfort and style, on a new, high-end, accessible bus, unveiled at a midday reception, Wednesday, March 24.
The bus, which takes clients to and from their adult day programs that include such activities as grocery shopping, special events and outings, is a huge improvement from the last model the not-for-profit agency bought with help from a Trillium grant in 2001.
Dorothy Henry, who is a relative newcomer to Silver Circle, sang the praises of the new vehicle.
"I want to thank you guys for the new bus. It makes getting us back and forth much more comfortable," she said.
Crediting the staff for its hard work as well, Henry said she feels much more "refreshed" after an afternoon at Silver Circle.
"Keep up the good work and we as seniors will try our best," she said to a roar of applause.
Another client, recalled Executive Director Radosna Bijukovic, shed tears of joy on a recent excursion to High Park.
"She lives in the area and hadn't been there in years," said Bijukovic.
The bus enables seniors to connect with the community, she said. All services are based on Silver Circle's mission: to help seniors live independently for as long as possible.
"I hear the bus is extremely, extremely comfortable," said former President of the Board of Directors Jawad Kassad, "and a definite improvement from what we had."
Silver Circle is in the midst of a fundraising campaign to raise the $90,000 necessary to pay for the bus. So far, it is $12,000 closer to its goal. In an effort to raise more money, West Toronto Services for Seniors is hosting a June 17 wine tasting. This year is a big one for the organization as it celebrates, coincidentally, its silver anniversary. In honour of its 25th year, there will be an anniversary gala, Sept. 23.
Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone congratulated the seniors and staff for all their efforts.
"We all know we have an amazing city. The reason we do quite well is, we're standing on the shoulders of our ancestors, our senior citizens," he said. "The staff, volunteers and seniors should be congratulated for making the City of Toronto so great. Services for seniors should be expanded. We should give the seniors here a round of applause."
George Smitherman, the former Minister of Health, said he spent a lot of time with Bijukovic, who was instrumental in helping him develop the 'Aging at Home' policy that supports seniors in living independently and with dignity. He thanked Silver Circle clients for lending him their leader. The mayoral candidate told his audience that in a conversation with his mother that morning, he said he was looking forward to taking part in the unveiling.
"I'm the son of a truck driver," divulged Smitherman. "I know these wheels are about independence."
Smitherman said he wasn't sure if he would be able to take part in the upcoming wine tasting, but vowed to make a donation to the fundraising campaign.