Support Senior Bus Program

In some of the rural parts of St. Lawrence County, the ability to get out do the simplest of things, such as shopping, can be limited.

In its second year, the Senior Bus Program is in jeopardy of closing operations. For some residents of Sunrise Valley Apartments in DeKalb Junction, Attwater Apartments in Russell, McBrier Park Manor Apartments in Hermon and Edwards Senior Courts in Edwards, the bus is their only means of transportation.

The Senior Bus Program, a collaborative effort of the St. Lawrence County Housing Council, St. Lawrence NYSARC and St. Lawrence County Public Transportation, allows residents to run errands, buy groceries, socialize with others and be independent.

The program runs twice a month - every second and fourth Friday of the month - with set pickup and return times for each apartment complex. Trips are made to Ogdensburg, Canton and Potsdam.

While the program has received less than half of the funds needed for it to continue in 2010, it's not too late to save it.

At this time, program contributions totaling $2,325 have been received from the Edwards Lions Club, Mason's Wildwood Lodge 477F, Ogdensburg Association of Senior Citizen's, Lisbon 89'ers Senior Club, Norwood Golden Agers Senior Club, Ogdensburg WalMart Store, SeaComm Bank, and private donations.

More is needed.

Monetary donations to support the Senior Bus Program may be mailed to the not-for-profit organization, St. Lawrence County Housing Council, 19 Main Street, Canton, N.Y., 13617. Check contributions should be made payable to St. Lawrence Housing Council, c/o Senior Bus Program.