A soup and pie dinner on Monday helped celebrate the ribbon cutting on Altona's new handi-van.

"It is a big day," said Ann Kroeker, head of C.A.R.E. Inc., the local group that oversees the service in town. She noted the Board of Directors had been working on this project for a year. 

The new larger unit offers more seats which allow small groups to accompany someone that is mobility-challenged out on social outings as well.

"Our maiden voyage was in September and it went very well. People seemed pleased with a roomier vehicle and the ride is a little bit better, so yes, so far so good."

The local handi-van is used about two times a week primarily for out-of-town medical trips. However, the new larger unit offers more seats which allow small groups to accompany someone that is mobility-challenged out on social outings as well.

"It makes for a little bit of a better group outing," said Kroeker.

The new van is fully paid-off thanks to $25,000 in each savings, money earned from the sale of the old van, and from fundraising which Kroeker said came together in just a few months.

"This is a very generous community and we have learned to count on them," she noted.