The AG Foods store in Osoyoos is now able to assist customers with disability issues thanks to the generous donation of a motorized scooter by the Kiwanis Club of Oliver. Shown above are (from left) Lee Chic with Oliver Kiwanis, her brother Leonard Gebhart and Bob Irwin, assistant store manager. Testing out the scooter is store manager Greg Poirier. (Keith Lacey photo)
Elderly and disabled customers doing their grocery shopping at the AG Foods store in Osoyoos now have a much easier time getting around the store.
That’s because the Kiwanis Club of Oliver donated a motorized scooter to assist customers who have mobility issues.
Lee Chic, a longtime member of the Kiwanis Club in Oliver, said a scooter that belonged to her uncle was sitting in a garage for many months and she was trying to think of a good way it could be used to assist people.
She took the scooter to the Osoyoos business called Active Scooters and the owner made some necessary changes to get it back in working order, said Chic.
Chic’s brother, Leonard Gebhart (who is also a member of the Oliver Kiwanis Club), had a conversation with the new management at the AG Foods store and it was mentioned that several regular customers had mobility issues, said Chic.
When she approached management and said she would be more than willing to donate the motorized scooter, they were very pleased and didn’t hesitate for a second, she said.
“They have a lot of regular customers who don’t get around well and have mobility issues and having this scooter available to them really makes them relax and enjoy heading out to the grocery store,” said Chic. “They’ve attached a basket in front of the scooter so they can gather groceries.
“It’s really helping out and that’s really good news.”
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
