A 14-passenger bus that was donated to the Southeastern Utah Association of Local Governments last month by the local Active ReEntry needed some repairs when it was received. The cost to fix the van was estimated to be between $1000 and $1500. Money to repair the vehicle was in short supply, but getting it fixed was critical since it is going to be used to help a number of people in the area that have no transportation.

Step forward, Joe Piccolo, the owner of Supreme Muffler.

Piccolo agreed to fix the van at no cost for the agency. It was delivered repaired and in working order on August 27.

The former Utah Transit Authority bus will open up all kinds of possibilities for the transportation of people in need said Geri Gamber the Executive Director of SEUALG.

“What we would like to do is use it for youth who are living in county housing so they can get to activities, events and sports they want to participate in,” said Gamber.

The agency just received a grant to help in the maintenance and operation of the bus to the tune of $3500.

The agency has also caught another source of money and has received grant funding titled the “Out and About Grant” through the Utah Department of Human Services. This funding is $38,000 over a two-year period and is intended to provide operating expenses for transportation of elderly, disabled and vulnerable adults.

Along with the Active Re-Entry bus donation, Four Corners Behavioral Health donated a van to the agency as well. Passengers will be able to ride the vehicles for scheduled trips to medical, social, and shopping trips.

“The good thing is that because they are under 15 passengers, a driver operating it does not have to have a CDL to drive it,” she said.

Now the problem will be finding drivers for the vehicles. Presently Easter Seals will provide for one driver that can put in 22 hours per week, but other volunteer drivers are needed for the vehicles. The agency is looking to attract other volunteers to drive.

Those who may want to volunteer can contact Duane Baker at 435-613-0021 or can email him at dbaker@seualg.utah.gov.