Lemmon-Aid Bus a sweet ride for seniors

By GWEN STIRMAN First United Methodist Church
Posted 8/22/18

For quite some time, a need existed to provide transportation for senior citizens with mobility problems. Pamela Dountas, seniors director at First United Methodist Church, began to search for the …

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Lemmon-Aid Bus a sweet ride for seniors

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For quite some time, a need existed to provide transportation for senior citizens with mobility problems. Pamela Dountas, seniors director at First United Methodist Church, began to search for the answer by praying to God and seeking others who might help with this mission.

After months and months of securing enough funds and weeks and weeks of evaluating all types of handicap equipped transportation, the final purchase was made.

But raising $60,000 for the purchase was no easy task until an “angel” (a.k.a. Jim Lemmon) realized what a blessing this would be for those who must use a cane, walker, or wheelchair for assistance. Thanks to Jim Lemmon, who without hesitation sent a check for the $60,000, the Lemmon-Aid Bus materialized. Jim Lemmon passed away Aug. 13.

The $60,000 contribution meant that other donations could be used for the graphics on the bus and gasoline for trips. Because of his generosity, the bus brings several people to Sunday morning worship service and it has been scheduled on second and fourth Thursdays to take residents of the Senior Housing Apartments and Autumn Wind Assisted Living to shop at Walmart. The bus is also scheduled once a month for a Senior Lunch Bunch to ensure there is social activity for enjoyment. The Lemmon-Aid bus also is used to take seniors to doctors and to any special events they might find enjoyable.

Only until you listen to some of the stories from the people who have used this service does one realize how confined some older people are. When you hear, “I haven’t been out to shop for two years,” or “I’m so thankful to get out to participate in other activities” does one realize this is the ultimate blessing provided by the Lemmon-Aid Bus. So if you happen to see this little bus of blessing around town, now you will know the whole story.

(This article is a tribute to Jim Lemmon Aug. 17, 1924 to Aug. 13, 2018)