By Erin Ellis, Communications volunteer, Canadian Red Cross
Getting outside during the COVID-19 pandemic can be a boon for both body and mind, but not everyone is lucky enough to live near nature or have the means to get there.
That’s why Altrusa International of Nanaimo decided to distribute bus tickets and maps to people in need - along with masks and hand sanitizer - to help them connect with the outdoors. Altrusa is a non-profit organization that focuses on improving local communities through leadership, partnerships and service.
A group of Altrusa members created 530 “Bus and Park It” packages. In February the gift bags went to about 20 organizations in Nanaimo that serve Indigenous people, supported-living buildings, and people living with poverty, homelessness, or a disability.
“It’s for people who wouldn’t otherwise be able to get to a park by themselves,” said Holly Hood, Altrusa member. “We heard a lot of reports of people saying they were thrilled to have it.”
Valerie is a member of Altrusa International of Nanaimo who helped distribute more than 500 “Bus and Park It” packages to organizations serving people in need. The B-C-based non-profit created the packages using funding from the Red Cross to help people enjoy the benefits of parks and nature during the pandemic. The packages include bus tickets, maps, and personal protective equipment.
Altrusa took on the project after receiving funding from the Red Cross through its “COVID-19 Emergency Support for Community Organizations” initiative. The program awards funds from the Government of Canada to community-based organizations which are striving to deliver vital frontline services to those most at-risk to the impacts of COVID-19.
With the funding, the organization purchased personal protective equipment and 5,300 bus and handyDART tickets for the local paratransit system.
The “Bus and Park It” project builds on Altrusa’s other work of supporting women, children and literacy, including its longstanding library book delivery and toiletry gift bags for women fleeing domestic violence at Haven House.
Find out more about
Altrusa International of Nanaimo.
The Canadian Red Cross is funding this project thanks to the generous support of the Government of Canada’s Emergency Community Support Fund granting program.
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