A helping hand

PLAINS – A number of residents throughout Sanders County spend time and money traveling to medical appointments both within and outside of the county.

One Plains resident decided to help out other community members and put money towards a fund to help those who struggle to pay for bus trips and meals when they travel for medical care.

Doug Ovitt teamed up with the Sanders County Council on Aging to help cover the transport and food costs of citizens in need.

“The fund is for if they need help with the bus trip or food or both,” Ovitt said.

Ovitt experienced first hand how much money goes towards transport and food expenses related to medical care when his wife, Robin Ovitt, received medical treatment in Missoula.

According to D. Ovitt, when his wife passed away he decided to start a memorial fund for Robin, this fund was the basis for the donations to help others with their transport needs.

“A lot of people in the area can’t afford the bus,” Ovitt said.

Ovitt added he had selected the Council on Aging to administer the program and noted Erin Alt, of the council, had recently gone to Missoula and purchased gift certificates to be used by those who needed help paying for meals during their travels for treatment.

Alt explained the Council on Aging administers Sanders County Public Transportation and though the group serves the needs of senior citizens, the county public transporation service is open to members of the public.

Alt stated she was very appreciative of Ovitt’s efforts to help out those in need within the community.

“I thought it was so heartwarming he was making the donations,” Alt said.

Though the council on aging administers the program Alt stressed without Ovitt the fund to help those in need pay for transportation and meal costs would not have been possible.  

“We are just a vehicle it is really about his heart,” Alt said

According to Alt the program got rolling in early April and Ovitt’s efforts have already helped individuals with transportation and meal costs.

“The fund has already helped people with their fares so they can get to their appointments,” Alt said.