Markham's PinkCars group switches gears to help seniors get COVID-19 boosters, pandemic paperwork

Community support of volunteer-driven initiative 'truly shone a bright light on so many'

Yorkregion.com
Nov. 12, 2021
Heidi Riedner

The volunteer-driven PinkCars group in Markham has helped more than 10,000 seniors in York Region get their COVID-19 vaccine since March, but it isn't quite ready to drive off into the sunset just yet.

Born out of an urgent need to help as many seniors book and get their vaccine in the early days of the region's rollout, the group founded by Shanta Sundarason was up and running within 48 hours with a hotline, two volunteer drivers and a website created with the help of City Coun. Andrew Keyes.

Now, with roughly 90 per cent of seniors fully vaccinated as of Nov. 5, the group continues -- albeit at a lower gear -- to offer help and rides to those in need of booster shots, as well as the downloading and printing off proof of vaccinations.

"People find it challenging to go on that site," said Sundarason of the online booking portal for booster shots, which opened a few days ago for people over 70 and a few others.

"We’ve also been helping them download the QR codes," she added. "For those with no smartphone, we’re printing and laminating their proof of vaccine to carry with them."

Sundarason, who started the group in the blink of an eye after being contacted by a senior requesting help with the region’s vaccination booking system eight months ago, said helping the thousands of seniors to date would not have been possible at such a fast pace had it not been for the generosity from so many supporters and volunteers in the community.

“None of this would have been possible without their support," she said, adding their contributions helped maintain the services and expenses that were generated by an army of bookers and drivers that eventually grew to 80 people covering all of the region.

Among them was Bill Dawson, who usually runs Thursday Nights at the Bandstand in Unionville.

"He was the first to step up and he dragged in many of his friends and supporters to help," Sundarason said.

Hockey with Heart and Minto Communities, who usually sponsor Dawson’s music nights, were more than happy to redirect their support at a time when traditional fundraisers and events were put on hold due to pandemic restrictions.

Todd and Marcia Finlayson of Finlayson Hospitality Partners, who operate several McDonalds in the region, served up a very generous donation in addition to several hundred meal vouchers enabling Pink Cars drivers to take their seniors for a treat on their way home after being vaccinated.

Others -- like Kevin Baxter of Stouffville Toyota, which loaned the group a RAV 4 to help with its transportation under Toyota’s Cars for Good program, as well as Kylemore and AlectraCares -- were quick out of the gate with their support, "no questions asked," said Sundarason.

But we’re not done yet.

Neil Thomas of One Cad, Tommy Chan of MYPOPS.ca toy store, Clemens Sels of the CTL group, Alvit Pharma, The Village Grocer and Felix and Norton were also shown appreciation.

"They not only stepped up to make sure PinkCars was able to support seniors get the help that they so desperately needed, but also bring a little joy to so many of them along the way," she said.

Sundarason said the initiative truly shone a bright light on so many.

“The team at PinkCars will be eternally grateful for the selfless and unquestionable support from so many in our community,” she said, adding all the darkness of the past year has really been outshone by the kindness and love of so many.

“We have been able to slow down and take a deep breath, but we have not disappeared, and will continue to help those that still require our support, up to the time when COVID-19 boosters become a thing of the past,” she added.