Minibus donated to Red Cross

By Owen Boss

Staff Writer

NORTHAMPTON - The Pioneer Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross unveiled the latest addition to its emergency fleet Wednesday - a donated 1996 GMX minibus that other donors refreshed with a brand-new paint job and Red Cross logos.

The minibus, which will be used primarily in Hampshire County, was donated by Van Pool Transportation Co. of Wilbraham. It will help the nonprofit meet a growing need for disaster-response vehicles, said Paige Thayer, a spokeswoman for the organization.

"We have been in need of a vehicle for some time. The emergency-response vehicle that has been in service in the Northampton area has been in need of some repairs, and there was a definite need for an additional vehicle for disaster response," Thayer said.

Kevin Hinkamper, owner of Van Pool, said he was approached about the donation by Paula Wilke, a Red Cross volunteer and fellow parishioner of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Wilbraham.

"(Paula) put me in touch with someone, and they came and had a look at it and they said it would be a great help, and we were pleased to donate it," Hinkamper said.

Hinkamper said the vehicle was in good running condition when he sent it to be refurbished and repainted. He said he discussed the donation with his employees beforehand.

"This donation was from all of our employees too," Hinkamper said. "I told them, I hope you never see this bus again, but if you do, you should be glad that we donated it."

The Pease family of the 1812 Paint & Body Shop of Florence stepped up to repaint, do some body work, and put on the logo for the makeover.

The donation of their time and services, Thayer said, was in memory of their late son, Todd Pease, who died in 1991.

"It was an amazing collaboration of community spirit. It will be a huge help having a vehicle that we can count on when we need it," Thayer said, adding, "This really came at a perfect time for us, to have a vehicle fully donated like this."

The new vehicle, Thayer said, will be used to transport Red Cross volunteers and their supplies, and could act as temporary shelter for victims of disasters.

"When our volunteers and staff go out to a fire, we need a Red Cross vehicle that is large enough to have our clients come inside so we can do our casework and paperwork inside and out of the elements," Thayer said.

"We need a vehicle that can carry supplies and anything we may need for any disaster call."

Thayer said administrators and volunteers are always looking for donations.

"We are hoping to add another vehicle to our fleet in the coming months," Thayer said. "Our service area is very large, and we want to make sure we are being wise about turning over our vehicles."

The Pioneer Valley Chapter's service area spans the Connecticut to Vermont borders.

Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com.