Kootenay Savings donates $5,000 to Hope Air Charity

— Photo courtesy danmagliocontracting.com

Trail-based Kootenay Savings recently donated $5,000 to help fund healthcare travel for Kootenay residents through the charity Hope Air.

Since January of 2013, Hope Air provided over 233 free flights to residents of Trail, Castlegar, Fruitvale, Invermere, Kaslo, Kimberley, Nakusp, New Denver, Radium, Salmo and the Slocan Valley to access healthcare in Vancouver. Trail to/from YVR is the 7th highest demand route in BC, followed by Castlegar to/from YVR.

The contribution from Kootenay Savings of $5,000 will guarantee 20 flights to residents in the Kootenay region who must travel to healthcare.

Leslie Louie, donor relations officer with Hope Air, says “Cost and distance are formidable barriers and add enormous financial, physical and emotional stress to individuals already dealing with serious health issues. Kootenay Savings support has guaranteed access to healthcare for many living throughout the Kootenay region of B.C.”

“At Kootenay Savings we are proud to invest in the health of our communities. Partnering with an organization like Hope Air, whose values are in alignment with our own, fits well with our social mandate to make the Kootenays better, together,” shares Kootenay Savings board chair, Forrest Drinnan. “The service that Hope Air provides to Kootenay families in need of specialized medical care allows them to focus on getting the care they need without having to worry about the financial barriers that can come with travelling outside of the area.”

Hope Air is the unique national charity that arranges free flights for low income Canadians who need non-emergency healthcare not available in their local communities. Free flights help reduce the emotional, financial and physical stress that individuals and families face while coping with a serious illness. This includes less time away from school, work and other responsibilities.