By Sebastian Kanally, Times Chronicle

Oliver and Osoyoos have both decided to contribute $2,500 and $2,000 respectively, to Desert Sun Counselling to purchase a 20-seat vehicle to expand their ability to transport seniors. 

Marieze Tarr, executive director of Desert Sun Counselling requested $35,000 from Oliver, Osoyoos, Regional District of the Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) electoral areas “A” and “C” to help fund the purchase. 

Areas “A” and “C” both agreed to contribute $35,000 to the purchase, while urging both towns to do the same. 

During budget talks on Jan 22, Oliver council agreed that $35,000 was too much for them to contribute and settled on $2,500.

Tarr explained to Oliver council that of all the services that Desert Sun provides through their ‘Better at Home’ program, “transportation is the number one requested service that we get.” 

Their current transportation system is a van that seats eight people. This vehicle is shared between multiple programs and excess need is supplemented by volunteer drivers. 

Tarr explained that they are “between a rock and a hard place” in dealing with their transportation issue. Saying that transport is a significant barrier for seniors to attend social events, medical appointments, and even grocery shopping. 

Their plan is to purchase a larger vehicle, something like a small school bus, that is larger and more fuel efficient than the van they are currently using. 

The Therapeutic Activation Program for Seniors (TAPS)  is the main reason for this need, according to Tarr. The program is expanding, and they are now hosting sessions in Osoyoos, Oliver and are in negotiations for sessions in Okanagan Falls. 

“The purpose of this program is to provide activities for seniors in a social setting to prevent loneliness and isolation. We firmly believe in taking care of not only the mental health of our seniors but also their nutritional well-being and food security,” Tarr explained. 

The TAPS is a specific program directed at “seniors who are not independent enough to take themselves to the senior’s centre, maybe they don’t feel comfortable driving, they might have had a partner who recently died or just don’t have the confidence to join activities in town.”

For more on the TAPS program visit Desert Sun’s TAPS website.