About $9,865 was raised at the second annual Bucks for Buses event, Sunday, to benefit transportation for senior citizens and those with disabilities.
The money came from sponsors, donations from businesses, and residents, ticket sales and a raffle at the event.
‘We are very pleased with the turnout today and with the support of the Senior Center transportation for seniors and persons with disabilities and we’re very thankful to Dr. Tim O’Neill, chairman of the event, and for Dr. Michael Baker and Dr. Robert Barnes for being co-chairman of this event,? said Margaret Bartos, senior center coordinator. ‘We’re very thankful to our sponsors that they’ve been so generous with us,?
About 60 people, including sponsors, local business representatives, seniors from the community, Senior Advisory Committee members, senior center staff and other supporters of the transportation program attended the fundraiser at Fountains Golf and Banquet to enjoy food, drinks, and entertainment.
‘I don’t think people are aware how many of our seniors rely on this for basic life functions that we take for granted, grocery shopping, banking to more serious things doctors appointments, and even life threatening things,? said Dr. Tim O’Neill of Clarkston Medical Group. ‘There are a lot of dialysis patients and this is their only mode of transportation.?
Bus services are already maxed out, making the fundraiser necessary, O’Neill said.
‘They would have had to cut back, so the main thing is making people aware of this,? he said. ‘We have an aging population and there are more and more medical problems that come with age, unfortunately, and they need access to those services.?