Russell Lake ….

Come on down!

 

Amalgamated Transit Union,  Local 1320,

has made Russell’s dream to see his hero,

Bob Barker from the PRICE IS RIGHT, 

a reality.

                                                                                   

                                                                                    -- by Webmaster

 

Dreams can come true and Local 1320 (Peterborough, Ontario) helped make the dream of one of its Handi- Van clients become reality.  Russell Lake has been riding the Handi-Van service in Peterborough for years.   His smile, sense of humour and happy disposition are qualities that have gained him many friends from among the membership of Local 1320.    Everyone knows Russell and only has nice things to say about him.

 

For at least twenty years, Russell Lake has been a huge fan of The Price Is Right and watches the show daily.   He is quick to admit that his hero is Bob Barker.  Russell has often dreamed of going to Hollywood to be in the audience for a taping of the show, but money constraints along with health issues which confine him to a wheelchair have made the dream seem unachievable.   With the recently announced retirement of Bob Barker in June, Russell’s dream was quickly fading.

 

                          

      Gary Sager, ATU Local 1320 President, presents                 A cheque for hotel, taxi and meal expenses

          two return fare plane tickets to Russell Lake                                   was also presented

                                                                                                       

The membership of Local 1320 was approached during the winter to see if we would make a donation.    The membership agreed  that this was a very exceptional and  worthy cause for such a likeable client and voted unanimously to sponsor Russell for the entire trip and to and make his dream come true.     It took the generosity of time and donations from many people to bring Russell’s dream to fruition.   The executive and membership of Local 1320 overwhelmingly endorsed supporting the plan and were very much encouraged by Larry Kinnear, ATU International V-P.  Call-A-Cab taxi service offered to assist with transportation between Peterborough and Toronto. 

 

     

Russell proudly shows the T-shirt he will        Helen Costain (Vocational Manager, Community Living Peterborough)

     be wearing and two tickets to                                      will  accompany Russell on the trip.

           The Price Is Right show

 

On April 19, Russell celebrated his 45th birthday at the Community Living Peterborough Centre.   Although he knew that there would be a birthday cake to share with the staff and other clients at the centre, he was hoping to receive a new CD as well.     What Russell didn’t expect was the extraordinary surprise being brought by Gary Sager, President of Local 1320.    Community Living Peterborough had asked the local media to attend to record and report on the fulfillment of a dream.

 

             

         Russell has dreamed about being able              President Gary Sager and Helen Costain remind Russell

              to see his hero, Bob Barker, for                                 that his dream is about to come true

                        twenty years

 

Representing the membership of  Local 1320,  President Gary Sager presented Russell with two return airline tickets to Hollywood, tickets for the taping of  The Price Is Right on April 30th and a cheque to cover hotel, food and ground transportation costs for two people in Hollywood.   Russell was also presented with several T-shirts to wear on the trip.    Ground transportation between Peterborough and Pearson International Airport (Toronto) was also arranged by Local 1320.  Since Russell is unable to travel on his own, he is being accompanied on the trip by Helen Costain, Vocational Manager for Community Living Peterborough. 

 

The atmosphere in the room was electric.  Cameras were flashing while the media sought photo opportunities and interviews with Russell, Helen Costain and Gary Sager.  Russell was ecstatic and beamed his big patent smile.  The staff at Community Living Peterborough glowed with excitement and exhilaration for Russell who they have known for many years. 

 

                                                                        

      The presentation was made on Russell’s 45th birthday (April 19).                            The tickets to

              This will be a birthday that he will never forget.                                    The Price Is Right show

             

 

Although Local 1320 is in the preliminary stages of contract negotiations, it is uplifting to recognize that a lot of time, effort and financial resources can be expended on other important matters as well, such as helping to make a dream come true.      By being sensitive to the needs of others, we can give something back to the community we serve and validate that the Amalgamated Transit Union has a big heart.   Helping to make Russell’s dream come true has given our membership a really warm feeling and a great deal of pride in being ATU. 

 

 

                                       

 

                    Happy Birthday, Russell, from your friends at 

       ATU Local 1320 and may all of your dreams come true.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Community Living Peterborough

 

Building inclusive communities since 1953, Community Living Peterborough is a not-for-profit organization that brings people with intellectual disabilities and their community together.  The agency supports people to live, learn, work and participate in all aspects of their community.

Community Living Peterborough provides supports and services to approximately 350 children, youth and adults living with intellectual disabilities and their families living in the city and county of Peterborough.

The agency supports people to live, learn, work and participate in the community though the following services:

·          Volunteer Services

·          Family Support

·          Residential Options

·          Vocational Supports

 
 
 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                       

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