The Dauphin and District Handivan Association (DDHA) has provided safe, reliable and vital, transportation services for seniors, persons with disabilities, and others with mobility challenges.

DDHA celebrated 40 years with an event at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 20, Saturday.

Board members, drivers and clients were invited for coffee or tea and cake following a short program.

DDHA president and board chair Marge Beyette said Ron Bourdin was the person who started the handivan services 40 years ago.

“I believe he only had himself working and one van,” she said.

DDHA now has five vans. Four of them, Beyette said, have ramps and one is ambulatory.

“We use that one a lot for people that don’t have wheelchairs or may have a walker. But we can fold that up and put it in the back,” she said.

“So it’s a little cheaper to run gas wise.”

Along with the five vans, there is one full-time driver and seven others who are casual, though they sometimes run into full-time hours depending on how busy it gets.

The need for such a service continues to grow.

Read the full story in this week’s Dauphin Herald.