The Community Center plans to get a van in the coming months to transport area residents.

“Volunteers have been picking up people in their own cars and bringing them here,” explained Director Jane Good. “We have some area residents who are shut-ins or don’t drive any longer and they want to be able to come to the Center.”

A few weeks ago, Good began searching online for a vehicle that would accommodate the requests. “Then it occurred to me that I should stay local.” She contacted Hawke Motors in Boothbay Harbor, just a short walk from the Center.

Good met with owner Stephanie Hawke and manager Alan Williams. The team provided Good with information about the size and configuration that would work best for the Center’s needs, and identified a vehicle on their lot.

The Center is now in the process of acquiring the seven-passenger Dodge Caravan, which is two years old and has traveled 30,000 miles.  The vehicle is configured so that some of the seats can be stowed away to allow those who rely on wheelchairs to use the van.  

Within three days of finding the van, the Center raised half of the $20,000 purchase price with generous contributions made by a few friends of the Center. Now Good is looking to fund the remaining $10,000 from area residents, businesses and organizations and hopes to be able to start providing rides within 60 days.

In addition to transporting local residents to the Center, the vehicle will be used for field trips and for other community needs. Good is excited about seeing the van with the Center’s red heart on the side “spreading love through the community.”  The van will be free to ride.

Those who wish to contribute to the purchase of the van can contact the Center at 633-9876.