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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (March 24, 2018)
SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2018 Drivers FOLLOW US FOR THE LATEST NEWS /S IUSLAW N EWS @S IUSLAW N EWS WWW .T HE S IUSLAW N EWS . COM from 1A Trips to the medical centers provide a number of advan- tages to veterans, beyond simple transportation. “One reason I drive the van is that I get the opportunity to tell veterans what they’re entitled to,” Swant said. “You’d be surprised how many veterans don’t know what they’re entitled to. Some people think that they only get three years of medical care, but it’s not true. They get lifetime medical care if they meet the qualifications.” The program also acts as protection for veterans against being taken advantage of. “Back east, there was a time when people were paint- ing vans to look like DAV All Books & Clothes Thi s Sunday and Monday March 25 & 26 We are open until 8pm on Sunday! St. Vincent de Paul 2315 Hwy. 101 Florence (541) 997-8460 svdp.us “Have some fun, save some money, do something nice for your neighbor.” vans and taking veterans to the hospital — then charging them,” Jim said. “Some veter- ans don’t know any different, they figured it was a ride and they had to pay.” The trips also provide an extra cushion of safety for the veterans, where the drivers can facilitate urgent medical care if a problem arises. While the drivers are not allowed to provide medical care to the veterans — they are not even allowed to have physical contact with them — the drivers can contact emer- gency personnel. “We’re also authorized to call a sheriff’s or emergency department if something comes up so we can go in there and let them take care of the problem,” Swant said. The idea of driving veter- ans to facilities started in Florence before the DAV became involved. “The program was original- ly started by Al Stapleton,” Swant said. “He used his own private vehicle. He went through three vans transport- ing vets to Portland and Roseburg with his own gas money.” But as the cost of the pro- gram ran higher, along with liability issues, the program was taken over by the Florence DAV around 15 years ago. And throughout its existence, the program has received strong support from the community. “We get a lot of local sup- port from the merchants, like Tony’s Garage,” Swant said. “I told him we needed to get fog lights and I asked him what he would charge. He said ‘I wouldn’t charge any- thing.’ He asked I drop the van off on Friday night and he would have the lights on ready for the morning, and he did. That’s the kind of support you get from the local area.” But to keep the program going, they need drivers. As to the qualifications? “You have to have a pulse,” Swant joked. “Drivers need a valid driver’s license and to go through a background check and a physical and be insurable.” For drivers like Swant and Casey, the benefits to driving are in the people that they serve. “You’re just helping your veterans out,” Casey said. “It’s a well-needed thing. I’ve had people try and give me tips, and I say, ‘If I didn’t want to do this, I wouldn’t be there.’” “They couldn’t pay me to do this,” Swant added. To learn more about the program, or the schedule a ride-a-long, contact Swant at 541-968-9512. To become a driver for the DAV, call 541-440-1272 for the Roseburg route, or 541- 997-1123 for the Portland route. Earth tomer rebates for invest- ments such as energy-effi- cient household appliances, windows, insulation and renewable energy systems, as well as paperless billing and energy-saving advice. More information on energy conservation and Central Lincoln’s rebate programs can be found at www.clpud.org. Those interested in partici- pating in Earth Hour can find more information at www.earthhour.org. from 1A Chandler affirmed the local electric utility’s align- ment with long-term changes in energy consumption. “We very much support conservation,” she said, “and we have programs to encour- age people to save electrici- ty.” Programs and options offered by the community- owned utility include cus- Screening Presented by: Siuslaw News & KCST & KCFM Coast Radio Thursday, April 26, 2018 Two Showings @ City Lights Cinema 12:30pm • 6:00pm FROM EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Tickets are FREE* Admission tickets are required and available starting March 26 th at: • Siuslaw News 148 Maple St. • City Lights Cinema 1920 HWY 101 Representatives will be available for a Q&A after each showing. *Only 230 tickets available, fi rst come, fi rst served, Limit 2 per person. 9 A ANTHONY BOURDAIN WASTED! The Story of Food Waste