Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Seniors get new vans

Senior Connection finds hoped-for relief


By DANA DUGAN
Express Staff Writer

Volunteers, (from left) Ann Fuller, Mimi Henry, Anita Young and Marilyn Walker help unload dog and cat food and kitty litter for seniors with pets. The funds to buy the items were part of a large donation from one family, who heard the organization’s van had been stolen and totaled. Photo by

     On Nov. 17, a Senior Connection van used to shuttle senior citizens between the Hailey facility and doctor, hospital and hair appointments was stolen and found wrecked the following day in Colorado Gulch west of Hailey.

     Fast forward a couple of weeks, and the organization was richer by two vans and additional funds.

     On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Ketchum resident Hope Hayward picked up an Idaho Mountain Express before boarding a plane to California to spend the holiday with family. The story of the stolen van caught her eye. During a meeting with her family foundation she pitched the idea of donating money for a new van.

     Hayward is already a supporter of the senior center, said Kim Coonis, Senior Connection executive director.

     “They asked how much a new van would cost, and we’d already priced them at $28,000,” Coonis said. “We were so fortunate with rebates and price reductions that we actually got it for $16,500. So they bought us another one, too.”

     The new vans are 2008 Dodge Caravans. But Hayward apparently didn’t stop there. Coonis said that when Hayward met with the foundation she told them the center also needed new tires and repairs on the other cars.

     The Senior Connection owns 11 vehicles, including the vans and a bus with a wheelchair lift.  There are 12 caregivers constantly on the road delivering meals and helping people at home, even spending the night with seniors after surgery or illness.

     “We do everything we can to keep them at home,” Coonis said. “We hit such a low this year, and along comes this angel who picked up [the] paper and saw it that one time it was published. It’s amazing what one little act can do.”

     The Haywards also donated money for food, which was distributed at the annual Audrey Bashaw Christmas Brunch with gifts for at-home seniors instead of each other.

     “We still need so much more for this building, and now we’re going to be able to finish the offices and other things,” Coonis said.

     The Senior Connection is in the midst of a much-needed expansion. The nonprofit organization offers services on a sliding fee but also offers them free to those who can’t afford to pay.

     “We have so many seniors. It’s the fastest growing population,” Coonis said. “It’s not going to get smaller.” She said the people who live at the center can’t go out and get a job, though some younger seniors do still work. Once people hit their 70s and 80s it’s hard to get a job, especially in a rural area.

     “I said several months ago we’d have an angel and Hope’s been a great one,” Coonis said. “She’s a beautiful, wonderful person. There are some people who give because they have the heart. She is one.”




 Local Weather 
Search archives:


Copyright © 2024 Express Publishing Inc.   Terms of Use   Privacy Policy
All Rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Express Publishing Inc. is prohibited. 

The Idaho Mountain Express is distributed free to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area community. Subscribers to the Idaho Mountain Express will read these stories and others in this week's issue.