Amherstburg Community Services Looks to Community for New Vehicle

Having provided transportation services for Amherstburg seniors for nearly 40 years, Amherstburg Community Services is looking to their community to help them replace a vehicle that they took off the road in late 2017. The organization, which has provided almost 25 thousand rides to Amherstburg and LaSalle seniors in the past three years, needs to raise $70 thousand to purchase a new accessible vehicle.

According to Amherstburg Community Services executive director, Kathy DiBartolomeo, time is of the essence.

“Of our three remaining vehicles, two of them are over ten years old, and frankly, if and when any of those need to be repaired, we might find ourselves in a spot where we need to turn people away,” Dibartolomeo said. “If ever there’s a time we need help from our community, now is that time.”

The transportation service they provide is vital for some members of the community. Sandra, one of their clients, uses the service for just about everything, from shopping trips to medical appointments. “If not for ACS, I wouldn’t be getting out of my apartment, it’s as simple as that,” Sandra said.

“The lengths they’re willing to go to help is truly marvellous.”

DiBartolomeo says that Amherstburg Community Services have already sent out letters to local businesses requesting donations. They also started selling tickets for their annual 50/50 lottery draw on January 22 – those tickets will be on sale for 3 tickets for $5 until their SOUPer Wednesday fundraiser on February 21. Tickets for that fundraiser are also on sale now. DiBartolomeo has asked that anyone interested in donating to ACS can do so by cash or cheque at their office at 179 Victoria St. S. in Amherstburg, or by credit card through their website.