BISCO helps equip van for Lakeside Beikirch Care Center

The Brockport Integrated Service and Community Organization (BISCO) donates to Lakeside Beikirch Care Center to help cover costs of a new 24-passenger van. (l-r) front row: Residents Lenna Whiteman, Robert Weitzel and Burton Waite; back row, BISCO board members Gary Zimmer, Norm Knight and Bob Reusch, and Lakeside volunteer Casey Capo, as residents prepare for a trip to the Seneca Park Zoo. Provided photo.

BISCO helps equip van for Lakeside Beikirch Care Center

Residents at Lakeside Beikirch Care Center are enjoying many more outings in a new 24-passenger van, thanks to a donation of $3,000 from the Brockport Integrated Service and Community Organization (BISCO). This van was made available through a grant from the New York State Department of Transportation, but the grant did not cover many equipment options which totaled over $12,000. Options such as an automatic retractable restraint system for wheelchairs, spare tire and mount, extra flip seat for mobile passengers, heating and air conditioning were not included in the initial funding.

Donations from BISCO, McClure Dental Services and the Lakeside Foundation, helped to pay for the additional equipment.

“It’s such a pleasure to be able to take a larger group of residents to a restaurant or a show. The automatic wheelchair restraints eliminate so much time for staff which makes preparing wheelchair-bound residents for an outing much more enjoyable for them,” Amy McGovern, Director of Activities at the Care Center said. “The new air conditioning unit has been a blessing this summer with the long run of high temperatures.”

“BISCO is pleased to play a part in helping to improve the recreational activities for residents at the center. Lakeside Beikirch provides a great service to our elderly population. We’re glad that the residents have more opportunities to visit area attractions and restaurants and to enjoy being out in their community,” BISCO President Robert Blair said.
BISCO is a collective undertaking of Brockport Service Clubs and representatives from local community organizations dedicated to funding projects that benefit the local community. BISCO funded and installed the Corbett Park Playground and the Barry/Lyman Street Park. It also sponsors the Town of Sweden Skate Park, Cool Kids in the Park Program, the Toy Shelf and other community projects.

Provided information