Pictured in front of the new van, from left to right, are: Resident-Jerry Langston, Transportation Specialist-Angel Henderson, Administrator-Pat Lichty, Resident-Jerry Robertson, Resident-Dorothea Zvacek, and Social Service Director-Jane Jacobsen.

The 15-passenger bus has finally arrived after the Hospital Foundation applied for a grant from the Nebraska Department of Roads to provide medical transportation to the elderly and disabled residents of the Pender Community Hospital District. The grant was applied for on March 4, 2004 and has taken this long for everything to be processed and to receive the bus. This non-profit program will not only administer transportation for the elderly and disabled, but also to the residents of the Pender Care Centre. The bus will furnish curb to curb, pick up and delivery service to hospital, clinic, or physician appointments. Donations will be excepted for gas and upkeep.

The transportation effort by the Pender Community Hospital District is a unique program offered to its citizens. It will furnish them the opportunity to get to medical appointments without worrying about bad weather or driving on slippery roads. The bus will seat 15 total passengers, twelve (12) ambulatory passengers and two (2) wheelchair passengers plus the driver.

The Pender Care Centre has long awaited the bus arrival because it affords them the opportunity for outings with a larger number of residents being able to participate. Whether it be taking them out to look at area crops, fishing, county fair, or sightseeing the Christmas holiday lighting spectacle, they are excited.

The hospital district has set up transportation guidelines and will run the scheduling pick up and delivery system from the Pender Care Centre. Call the Care Centre at 402-385-3072 for information on how you can ride the bus.

TRANSPORTATION POLICY AND PROCEDURES
This is a non-profit program for the purpose of providing transportation to the elderly and/or the disabled in the Pender Community Hospital District.

1. Pick up will be curb to curb.
a) The driver will not go inside a house or building to pick up a rider unless it is a resident/patient of the Pender Care Centre, Pender Community Hospital or Assisted Living Facility.
b) One family member or assisting person may accompany appointment rider.
c) No rider will be picked up other than in the communities inside the Pender Community Hospital District.
d) If a rider lives in the country out side of a hospital district community, the bus will pick up the rider at the Senior Center located in the closest community. If a senior center is not available, a pick up will be made at the community fire hall or post office.
e) Riders will be taken to doctor, clinic or hospital appointments only.
f) Bus will pick you up after your appointment and take you back to the original point of pick up.

2. Call the Pender Care Centre at 402-385-3072 to set up a rider pick up at least 24 hours before your doctor, clinic or hospital appointment to make sure the bus will be available.