SCARC joins Homestead to provide wheelchair transport

Newton — When the residents of the Sussex County Homestead Nursing Home attended the open transit meeting in the summer of 2011, they voiced a need for more wheelchair transportation for their bus trips. They reported that they often had to wait two or three months for a spot on the current county transport bus. Following the meeting, Harris Rimshnick, Director of Facilities, Transportation and Risk Management at SCARC Inc., who is a member of the Citizen’s Advisory Committee at Homestead, met with Richard Lecher, CEO of SCARC, who gave his whole-hearted support and approval to make an offer to the Homestead. This offer included not only the transport van and expenses but also the driver’s time to get Homestead residents out on trips two to three times per month at no cost to the Homestead or its residents. After months of working out legal issues, SCARC will begin transporting three to four residents, who need wheelchair transportation, for the Homestead’s monthly recreational bus trips. “It is truly refreshing to see two independent public service agencies working together to benefit the Sussex County’s seniors and the disabled," said Jake Lighten, Administrator of the Sussex County Homestead. "It is a testament to the county and its citizens. I look forward to this partnership to provide more access to the community through this service. I appreciate Richard Lecher’s enthusiastic support and Harris Rimshnick’s initiative in offering transportation to our residents."