Prime's Transportation feeling financial crunch
Monday, May 12, 2008
BBUTLER COUNTY — For Jack Fischer, 80, Prime Transportation makes the difference between living in a nursing facility and living at home.
Fischer — who suffers from diabetes, congestive heart failure and kidney failure — gave up his car keys nearly two years ago and lives with his son in Hamilton, where public transportation is nonexistent.
Extras
"Without (Prime Transportation) it's possible I would have to stay in a rest home...I'm grateful for them,'' said Fischer said, who uses the on-demand ride service to go to dialysis treatments.
Prime Transportation, formerly ARK, has helped fill the public transportation void for those60 and older and disabled residents in southern Butler County for years.
But with gas prices rising, the ride service is struggling and is now trying to raise $61,000 to stay afloat.
Partners in Prime, a nonprofit agency that serves senior citizens, spends up to $700,000 annually to operate the transportation service.
The agency depends on donations and about $400,000 it receives in federal and local assistance annually, but funding is declining.
"We're very scared about that,'' said Partners in Prime Director Steve Schnabl. "There's a growing need. Without this service a lot of people we serve would need to move into a nursing facility. We see this as a vital mission.''
Fischer is one of about 1,000 clients who use the ride service annually.
Fischer's caregiver and son, Sherman, said Prime Transportation gives him a much needed break and allows his father to maintain his independence.
"He gets out of the house on his own and it gives me a nice five-hour break to run errands or sleep-in,'' Sherman Fischer, 47, said. "I'd be going insane if it wasn't for this service. I'm overwhelmed as it is.''
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2180 or tlatta@coxohio.com.
