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ELGIN — Seniors in Elgin, Seeley’s Bay, Lyndhurst and nearby communities now have more ways to get to medical and social service appointments, thanks to expanded support from St. Luke’s Leeds Anglican Church.
The “Helping Hands Rural Transportation Assistance” program grew on March 31 with funding from the federal New Horizons for Seniors Program. The grant runs until March 30, 2026, and will help connect more residents who don’t have access to transportation with services in Kingston, Smiths Falls and beyond.
Volunteer drivers at St. Luke’s have long provided rides to medical and dental care, as well as other social services. The new funding means more people can access the service and volunteers can be better compensated for the costs of using their own vehicles.
“We are grateful for this grant, which makes it possible for us to better compensate our volunteers for the cost of using their own vehicles for these trips,” said Donna Robinson, a church warden.
In a statement, federal minister Patty Hajdu said programs like Helping Hands “are vital to strengthening our communities, reducing isolation, and supporting the well-being of seniors across Canada.”
St. Luke’s Leeds is known as “the church without a building” and is active in the community through its thrift shop, mission projects and outreach initiatives.
For more information or to volunteer, visit stlukesleeds.weebly.com or call 613-507-3311.
