New Bus for Long Term Care Residents
NANAIMO, BC – June 3, 2025 – The Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation (NDHF) is proud to announce that a refurbished bus for Dufferin Place Long Term Care Centre is officially on the road. Thanks to the incredible generosity of community donors, a donation from Eldercare Foundation, fundraising from the Long Term Care Centre staff, and a legacy gift from a local family, the Foundation has raised the full $65,800.00 needed to purchase a fully accessible bus for seniors at the centre.
After years without their own, reliable transportation, Dufferin residents are now able to enjoy more meaningful outings. The new bus is being used for its first trip this week, with several residents on board—including longtime resident Shirley Foucher, who expressed how much she has missed these outings. “I missed our bus so much,” shared Foucher. “Just sitting by Departure Bay beach, having a burger, and watching the world go by—that’s a perfect day for me. I can’t wait to go again.”
Photo: Analiza Maguire, Dufferin activity assistant, helps Shirley Foucher into Dufferin Place’s new bus.
Over 400 seniors with diverse medical and support needs call these centres home and with an aging population the demand and waitlists are incredibly long for admittance to these centres.
As Manager of Strategic Initiatives & Grants at NDHF the campaign has been stewarded by Karen McCarthy who firsthand has experienced the resource challenges currently facing Long Term Care Centres. “My mother was a resident of a LTC, which gave me a very close window into the incredible need of our centres, and how simple daily luxuries we might take for granted are critical to making their days brighter,” shared McCarthy.
The bus campaign was officially launched in June 2024 during Senior’s Month, in response to the urgent need for reliable and safe transportation for Dufferin residents. It drew wide community support, and within a year, the Foundation was able to fulfill its promise.
Tom Arnold, Executive Director of Eldercare Foundation of Vancouver Island, a key donor in making this new bus a reality, emphasized the importance of supporting seniors with dignity and joy, “By the time seniors arrive in long-term care, they’ve lost a lot of things in their lives: mobility, independence, and access to many of their favourite activities,” says Arnold. “It feels great when we can give them something back, and this bus restores the ability to go on outings around town.”
Staff at Dufferin Place are equally thrilled. Sharron Traub, LTC Manager at Dufferin, underscored what this means for quality of life, “We see the difference these outings make—residents return smiling, more engaged, and emotionally uplifted. The generosity that brought this bus to our doors has a lasting ripple effect on health and happiness.”
The new bus is already scheduled for upcoming trips throughout the summer, including visits to parks, restaurants, and community events—giving residents the opportunity to feel connected and included in the life of the community again.
This milestone demonstrates the real and lasting impact of community giving—and the Foundation extends its deepest thanks to all those who made it possible
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About Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation
The Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation was founded to support Island Health facilities. Today, we are raising millions to support our region’s healthcare facilities by leading major fundraising campaigns for critical medical equipment, construction projects and programs that provide the best and highest level of healthcare to the residents in central and north Vancouver Island.
Learn more: https://nanaimohospitalfoundation.com
Media Contact:
Andrea Bava
778-908-1764 | andrea@blitzme.ca
