Last week, State Sen. Shelley Mayer, Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano, the Yonkers Office for the Aging and seniors gathered at the Bronx River Road (Scotti) Community Center to celebrate the purchase of four new vans for the Office of the Aging. When Mayer served in the Assembly, she secured $125,000 to replace vans that transport seniors for shopping, medical visits and special events. The vans are also used to deliver meals to homebound seniors throughout the city.
“I am proud to have secured $125,000 in funding for the Yonkers Office for the Aging to purchase four new vans,” she said. “Thank you to Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie for supporting this effort when I was in the Assembly and to Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins for her continued commitment to Yonkers and our seniors. These transportation services ensure Yonkers seniors can travel to essential appointments, receive healthy meals, and remain socially connected to one another and to the community. I appreciate Mayor Spano and Yonkers Office for the Aging Director Kelly Chiarella being such strong partners in this effort.”
“Providing transportation that is accessible and reliable is essential in ensuring a better and more enjoyable quality of life for our seniors,” added Spano. “This new fleet of vans will replace aging vehicles and allow our residents to continue in their daily activities. Thank you to Sen. Mayer and our state leaders for securing these funds and advocating on our seniors’ behalf.”
Stewart-Cousins said Mayer clearly recognized the integral role seniors play in the vitality of local communities. “I commend her and all my colleagues for securing state funds to purchase vans to assist older New Yorkers with transportation for medical visits, community events, and healthy meal delivery,” she said.
Westchester County Executive George Latimer added: “Thanks to Sen. Shelley Mayer, Yonkers residents will have a little easier time getting to and from the places they need to be. Whether it’s an important medical appointment or a trip to the grocery store to get food for the week, these vans will be there to provide needed transport. Seniors are a vital part of the fabric that makes up our community and the City of Yonkers Office of Aging does important work. I am proud to be here to support them.”
Yonkers Office For The Aging provides close to 30,000 rides a year and delivers approximately 75,000 meals annually to both homebound residents and to four congregate nutrition sites, according to Chiarella.
“These much needed new vehicles are replacing vans that are up to 10 years old,” she said. “We appreciate Sen. Mayer’s efforts in securing these funds that will provide safe, clean transportation services for our senior Yonkers residents.”
