Nobody said this project would be easy. Our plans to take the Mansion residents to the County Fair were temporarily upended yesterday when we discovered that the bus companies’ website and reality had nothing to do with one another.
Their site said it would cost $300 to get the residents to the fair and back; when we called, they said that was a mistake; it would cost $3,000.
The other bus companies in the area were even more expensive. The ones we called asked for $5,000. The rental vans were all out for hire.
We are also exploring school buses, rental passenger vans, and other forms of transportation. It is complicated to move a large number of Mansion residents at once. The rental companies are hectic.
The state requires extra aides to be on hand, and there are wheelchairs, walkers, and other physical and mental issues to consider. The residents will need to be accompanied at all times, which means extra people.
Suppose there are extra staffing costs. I’ll offer to help with that.
We are re-grouping. One proposal I like is for car caravans to transport as many residents as possible; I volunteered to be one of the cars on the train, and so did Maria. Different aides and administrators are offering their cars.
The “caravan” has a nice dramatic ring to it.
I’ve received approximately 900 dollars so far, and this will be used if we can get hold of van rentals and pay for good rides and the extra aides, food, etc.
I also want to pay for the aide’s tickets, which the fair can’t cover due to non-profit regulations.
The Washington County Fair has generously offered free tickets to all of the residents who come.
I didn’t get the $2,000 I requested, but I think I have enough, especially when the mailed donations arrive. A lot of people are uncomfortable sending contributions online.
I appreciate your support.
If there is an overage, which isn’t too likely, the money will go to future outings to help get the residents out and around after Covid isolation. We hope to do five or six outings before the cold weather.
This is a big deal for the residents, who have lived in isolation for nearly three years. They are excited, and I am determined to do whatever I can to help make it happen. The Mansion staff is also working with me and working hard.
This is a wild one, complicated and ever-changing. I know we can do it, and I believe we will do it, and thanks much for the support.
If we get hold of some rental vans, the costs could rise, but I’ll take it one step at a time. We may have to give up on rentals of any kind. I’ll keep everyone posted. The residents are very excited about the trip, and the staff has to figure out who can go and who can’t.
It’s a roller coaster; stay tuned. I like the caravan idea.
Contributions for our outing program can be sent to me via Paypal, [email protected], Venmo, Jon-Katz@Jon-Katz-13, or by check, Jon Katz, The Mansion Fund, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.
In Amish country around me there are regular folk who have vans that drive larger groups of Amish for hire. Maybe Mose knows?
We can’t just use any cards, Judith, we’ll get there, we’re making good progress. Thanks for the thought, tho.
It would be grand if folks who own vans would volunteer to drive them. Alas, I own a tiny Prius! I’m wondering what churches in the area may own vans & would volunteer them + drivers? I don’t know the churches up there at all. Senior Centers? Companies who own vans for transporting their employees? I’m making a $ donation now.
It’s not that simple, Nora; the residents can’t just go in any cards, the people have to be cleared, etc; the cars have to be able to handle people who are often handicapped, etc. It’s a nice thought, tho, we’ll get them there.
I’d be worried about liability if someone fell or was injured. Does the Mansion have insurance for this kind of thing?
Of course, so does anyone driving them and every vehicle; that’s why it isn’t simple to get rides. It’s state law.