Senior Center Receives A Car Through Grant and Donations

Joe Mollinari, who visits the Yorktown Senior Center every day "for the food," hopped in the passenger seat of the center's new van to get a closer look at the vehicle that will be taking him to his next doctor appointment.

He was one of a group of residents gathered in front of the Yorktown Community and Cultural Center on Commerce Street July 19 to celebrate as the senior center officially received its brand new five- passenger car. 

The new van is a spacious 2010 Ford Advancetrac with sliding doors, with just 100 miles on it. It is the fruit of a grant-writing initiative by center officials who had already captured  a 14-passenger car, wheelchair and handicap accessible, through the same process three years ago. Nutrition and Senior Services Director Mary De Silva said since the state offers grants, they applied and ultimately got approved. 

Every couple of years, the county gives out these vehicles. So the senior center applied for a community development block grant. Given only a short time frame to apply for and use the money, the center's officials sprang into action. The center replaced a former vehicle, which was aging and racking up a high mileage.

De Silva is aggressive about going after funds for the senior activities provided by the center, Yorktown Supervisor Susan Siegel said.

The cost of the small van is about $35,550, whereas larger vans could cost almost double. This was paid for with the state grant and $25,550 in donations.

"Donations are usually made when a senior passes," De Silva explained. "The family requests that in place of flowers, a contribution is made to the Yorktown Senior Center."

The new van can be used for most of the center's needs. For seniors who can't drive, the vans serve as a method of transportation for medical appointments, shopping trips (which take place on Tuesdays or Thursdays), as well as for hot meals that are delivered to eligible homebound seniors five days a week. The vans also bring seniors to the senior center for a suggested contribution of just $1, where they can play Bingo three days a week, or enjoy hot lunch served Monday through Friday at noon. The suggested donation for lunch is $2 and transportation both to and from medical appointments is $6.

Yorktown resident Mary Peitry said she appreciates the transportation.

"It is a pleasure for us because it is comfortable and we can reach the seatbelts easily," Peitry said. "We are all happy."

Mollinari, who plans to schedule a ride for an upcoming doctor visit, described his latest traveling experience with the senior center as "a very good ride."

The seniors were also thankful that although the van is relatively large, it's not difficult for them to board. In fact, the newest addition to the senior center's fleet is relatively low to step up into, especially in comparison to other vehicles of its kind.

Siegel said the range of services the senior center provides is a major asset to the Yorktown community because seniors are very limited in what they can do if they able unable to drive.

"My husband doesn't drive," Siegel said. "If he lived alone, I could see what an advantage this service would be to him."

Siegel said these senior center services are also important because of the companionship they provide.

"A lot of the seniors live alone and socializing is critical," Siegel said. "We're all really thankful for these services."