The PERKIE Travels program is a non-profit organization that is a very well-known service offered in the Castle Country area. The program assists with transportation for individuals needing to travel daily up to Provo for radiation treatments.
“It is a program that started back in 1994 and from a community need and I think that’s why it’s had a great impact on people is because it fit a community need,” said Director Nancy Bentley. “They do chemotherapy down here at Castleview Hospital but they don’t do radiation and the only place that does it is up at Utah Valley.” Transportation to receive treatments are offered daily, five days a week to help folks get to and from their appointments. The pick-up locates for Emery County residents are either in Castle Dale or Huntington. Residents from Price or East Carbon meet at the Active Re-Entry Office located at 10 North Fairgrounds Road, which leaves Helper residents to be picked up at Swifts Stop & Shop.
For 17 years the program was able to be managed through funds received from the Susan G Komen Foundation affiliate in Salt Lake City. “I think maybe that we all got a little complacent thinking that PERKIE was going to be there forever but they just pulled out a year ago. So, it’s that we’re now trying to make sure that we keep the program going,” stated Bentley. The program has served over 500 people which shows the importance of the transportation service. There has been talk of fundraising efforts similar to the foundation may begin in the fall but that does not help the current needs.
The monthly expenses for the program can become quite costly and worrisome. Although Emery County covers their costs of insurance, maintenance of vehicles and fuel costs for their residents, Carbon is still in need. “We couldn’t do it without the support of the Carbon County and Emery County but we’re the ones who provide the gasoline for Carbon County and also for drivers. So, we’re responsible for coming up with funding for that,” explained Bentley. The program was recently presented with a check in the amount of $3,500.00 from Castle Country Radio’s annual Pie Auction which can assist the program’s current needs. However, more donations are needed and greatly appreciated.
If there are any businesses, civic groups or individuals that would like to donate to the PERKIE Travels Program may do so by either calling Active Re-Entry at (435) 637-4950 or stop by their office at 10 South Fairgrounds Road. To learn more about this extraordinary community-based transportation program visit their website at https://www.arecil.org/