DAVIDSON—The town is looking for a few good men or women to take the wheel of the Handivan.

The Handivan, which is owned by the Town of Davidson, is important to the social lives of many of Davidson’s senior citizens who rely on it for a ride to and from the senior centre.

Currently, Murray Lloyd is driving the van.

He’d like to see more drivers come forward so he can take some time off.

“It’d be nice to have three or four drivers,” Lloyd said.

This way they could take turns, sharing the responsibility so it didn’t fall on one or two individuals.

Although this seems easy enough, coming up with a schedule for multiple drivers, hasn’t really been done before.

The drivers keep a log. Leafing through it, Lloyd finds Earl Johnson’s name and then Con Painchaud’s.

“He drove it for ages. I drove it 68 times last year.”

Currently, when Lloyd cannot drive the van, Bob Bender drives it, however, there are times Bob, who farms, cannot drive the van because he is busy working.

Lloyd hopes that other people who have some time on Tuesdays and Thursdays may help out the seniors.

Usually there are between five and seven passengers who require a ride to and from the Davidson Senior Citizens Centre on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.

Lloyd said he takes them to the senior centre at 1:30 p.m. and returns at 3:30 p.m. to take them back home.

“It’s not a hard thing to drive. It’s no worse than driving a car,” Lloyd said.

Because the van is accessible for people with disabilities, it is easy for people to get in and out of.

Women as well as men are welcome to drive it. No lifting is required.

The only training required is for drivers to learn how to secure a wheel chair.

“I don’t mind doing the volunteer work. I think it’s part of community service, but I’m sure there are others who could do it as well,” Lloyd said.
Anyone interested in helping out with the Handivan should contact Davidson’s town office.