The Lloydminster Region Health Foundation (LRHF) recently donated $30,000 to Border City Connects.
The funds helped purchase a new 2025 Toyota Sienna for the CareAvan Medical Trip Division.
This van will replace a 2015 model that has logged more than 350,000 kilometres.
Read more: Health Foundation Gala raises over $350K
“The support from the Lloydminster Region Health Foundation was critical to helping us replace this high-mileage unit,” said Mike Sidoryk, interim executive director of Border City Connects.
“We can continue offering safe, reliable transportation to those needing to reach vital medical appointments.”
The CareAvan program began in 2010 with support from the foundation and offers non-emergency medical rides to people in Lloydminster and nearby rural areas.
The CareAvan, which relies solely on volunteers, made 424 trips and covered more than 265,000 kilometres in 2023. Riders travelled to Saskatoon, Edmonton, Camrose, Wainwright, Marwayne, and more.
“We were able to start up the CareAvan many years ago through the generous support of donors,” said Stephanie Munro, CEO, LRHF. “It was very imperative that we were able to be a part of this new venture for them as well.”
Munro said the group plays a vital role in making sure everyone can get to medical appointments.
“Being able to enhance healthcare is definitely a crucial point in what Border City Connects does,” said Munro. “They were really at capacity … doing a multitude of trips every single day.”
Board member Brad Lake agreed, noting it’s important for the foundation to fund services people can see and use.
“We see this is a direct result,” said Lake. “This can be used for all age groups.”
Lake said the service helps people who can’t drive or who struggle in bigger cities.
“There’s nothing worse than a loved one not being able to get to their appointments in the larger centres,” said Lake. “It is so tough to reschedule.”
The CareAvan helps seniors, people with disabilities, those undergoing treatments, and low-income families. Two of its five vans are wheelchair accessible.
The recent “Play It Forward” fundraiser also helped pay for the new van. Fifty people played hockey for 12 hours to raise funds for Border City Connects programs.
“We are very proud of the funding we’ve been able to provide,” said Munro. “We look forward to seeing the positive impact our contribution continues to have.”
Read more: Funds raised, Fagnan honoured at Play it Forward
