New Care-A-Van welcomed
at ALMH    

[MARCH 12, 2004]  The ALMH Auxiliary, staff and volunteers of Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital welcomed a new Care-A-Van into service during a Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting today (Friday) at ALMH.

Purchase of the new van was made possible through an intensive two-year fund-raising campaign by the above hospital groups.

The ALMH Care-A-Van is a custom-built, full-size van that provides non-emergency transportation for patients who are wheelchair-users or who need transportation assistance to get to necessary appointments. Last year the Care-a-Van made 1,203 runs.

This is the third vehicle placed into service since ALMH began the Care-A-Van program in 1996. The last Care-A-Van traveled 143,780 miles providing patient transportation services before it was traded in early February.

While the first two Care-A-Vans were purchased and supported by the Abraham Lincoln Healthcare Foundation, the ALMH Auxiliary raised more than $35,000 to purchase this Care-A-Van.

"It is a rare situation for a hospital of our size, in a community this size, to be able to offer this transportation alternative," said Shirley Dittus, vice-president of the ALMH Auxiliary board. "The auxiliary is proud of what we have been to accomplish the past two years to keep this service in our community."

"In addition to our earnings from the Pink Shutter Thrift Shop and the ALMH Gift Shop," said Dittus, "we have hosted bake sales and book sales, partnered with MKS Jewelry for a special sale event, and raised almost $1,000 from a bracelet raffle at the Ace Hardware grand opening celebration. Our annual 'Tis the Season luncheon and card party was a sellout this year with lots of major and table sponsors from the community eagerly supporting our project."

"The Abraham Lincoln Healthcare Foundation will continue to give $10,000 to ALMH each year for the operational and maintenance expenses of the Care-A-Van," said Marty Ahrends, executive director of ALHF. "We are especially appreciative of Greyhound Lube owners Doug and Kaleb Shumard, who have donated all the oil changes for the new Care-A-Van."

Other chamber members involved in the new Care-A-Van project were Graue Inc. and Performance Vinyl Graphix in Mount Pulaski.

"The Care-A-Van is more than a senior transportation program," says Connie Boss, manager of the program. "Our drivers must be a registered nurse or an EMT. They are supportive and caring, often helping the patient get ready to leave for the appointment and staying with them until the appointment is over." Drivers include Tina Boehm, EMTB; Norma Cusey, RN; and Laurie Bishop, RN.

Care-A-Van transportation appointments can be made by calling 732-2123. There is standard fee for each trip and a mileage charge for out-of-town trips. "However, it is much less expensive than an ambulance ride," says Boss.

For more information about the Care-A-Van or other services provided by Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital, visit their website at www.almh.org.

[ALMH news release]