Mayor’s wedding gift to Stouffville? Mobile washroom for disabled residents

YorkRegion.com
Aug. 5, 2016
Ali Raza

A mobile washroom trailer for people with special needs is the gift Mayor Justin Altmann wants for his wedding.

In lieu of gifts, Altmann asked guests to make a donation for the purchase of the trailer. As the whole town is invited, donations from thousands of people would help reach the goal of $125,000.

“I hope everyone comes to the wedding Justin and Jen are celebrating,” said Diane Ward, who’s organized the trailer fund and presented the concept to council in June. “Some [guests] have received black envelopes in which you can put a donation. Those of you who have not received that envelope, that’s OK, we will have boxes here for you to make a donation.”

Guests will have to look for those with special T-shirts and hats to make a donation. The black envelopes have the town’s address on them, making it easier to donate.

It’s not the only means by which Altmann is trying to raise funds for the trailer. The mayor’s golf tournament later this month also aims to make a donation through his community fund.

The mobile washroom trailer will be used by caregivers of children, adults and seniors with severe physical disabilities who cannot move independently from their own wheelchairs. The trailer is equipped with a sink, toilet, an adult change table and a lift system.

The objective is to offer those with disabilities a chance to fully participate in community events “with dignity”, says Derek Bunn, a special education teacher helping Ward and the mayor with the trailer fund.

“In York Region, there are no public washrooms that are equipped with adult change tables and lift systems,” he said. “As a result, children, adults and seniors sit on their wet or soiled briefs for a period of time until they find a place to get changed which usually means going home.”

The total cost of the trailer is $125,000 and it’s intended to be shared around the region but managed by the town.

Cheques should be made payable to “The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville, Trailer Account 11-00-000-0720” and can be mailed to the town if not attending the wedding.

For more information, contact Diane Ward at d.ward@xplornet.com