A RETIREE who spends his time helping seniors to afford their medical prescriptions is partnering with Volunteer Terrace.
Ron Ramsey has raised nearly $6,000 this year from collecting and recycling pop cans, bottles and scrap metal to help pay for seniors’ prescriptions for those who can’t pay for their prescriptions.
He recently checked with Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacy and found out nearly $900 is still left in the account and the other two pharmacies in town had money left in their accounts too.
In October alone, Ramsey had collected $1,026.50 toward prescriptions.
Now he’s pleased to be partnering with Volunteer Terrace.
“It wouldn’t be where it is without Volunteer Terrace for sure,” says Ramsey, adding the need for assistance is going to increase.
Volunteer Terrace assists by acting as a contact for anyone looking to donate or volunteer. Members of Volunteer Terrace also help Ron sort bottles and cans.
Donations are also accepted on an individual basis, and Ron says if anyone has bottles or cans to donate to call Volunteer Terrace and someone will come pick them up.
“I like to work in partnerships,” says Volunteer Terrace temporary part-time executive director Lovina Tyler.
Ramsey says the government has made a mistake by not providing financing to seniors who need money to pay for their prescriptions because they end up in hospital and that will cost more than the money for their prescriptions.
“If you can keep people in their homes, they’re healthier,” said Tyler, adding she knew of about six seniors who were planning to move out of their own home but with some help, they’re staying put.
“It would be a good time to remind people to save their bottles from their Christmas parties for such a worthy cause.”