BCT gets generous donation from local couple

By Michael Riley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Bancroft Community Transit​ (BCT) obtained a special donation​  ​of a  2011 Honda Odyssey minivan for use by the non-profit local transit company. ​The local couple,  Josh and Anastasija Mourtzanos,​  ​gifted  their vehicle to BCT amid ​t​he organizations  struggles to keep their  fleet on the road and make an impact overall. Gwen Coish, director of operations with BCT​, and Josh Mourtzanos comment on this wonderful gesture of community support.

BCT was founded in 2001 and is a non-profit that provides non-urgent medical transportation services that ​​take  away barriers​, allowing people to get the social assistance and medical attention they need. They've been providing non-urgent medical transit service since 2015 in Belleville and the surrounding area, and for the past eight years, they've also been providing public transit in the northern part of Hastings County. They have a fixed route service in the Town of Bancroft, and it's also fed by an on-demand service that ​​shuttles  in from Hastings Highlands and Wollaston​, as well as Cardiff in ​Highlands East. For more information on BCT, go to their website at www.bancroftcommunitytransit.com.

Coish says that the Mourtzanos had moved away for Josh's work​, and prior to moving, they came to see her. They told her they often ate at the Wattle and Daub café as they love the healthy food options for ​their  children and the café's mission, to raise money for BCT and other local initiatives. She said they know the work they do, and they have a house in Wilberforce, so they see who they are. As they were moving and selling things they couldn't take, including the aforementioned van, they decided to donate it to BCT instead of selling it.

Mourtzanos told The Bancroft Times  that they feel very blessed to be able to do it for sure.​  “We were just praying about what to do with the van​, and one event led to the other​, and we were glad to be able to do this for BCT and Aunt Gwen​, and it's worked out really well and will continue to help people out for sure. We were praying a lot about what to do with it, because it was either a case of trying to try to sell it or try to bless somebody with it. And so, we were praying a lot about what to do​, and Gwen took us out to lunch there just to say goodbye because we've moved to the States, we're in North Carolina now. So, we knew we weren't gonna be able to take the van with us, so we were just trying to figure out what to do. And it was actually just even through casual conversation at lunch with Gwen that​  they were really down on vehicles. And, um, you know, basically just to keep that in prayer, and so we figured it's actually a really good fit. To be able to donate the van to BCT worked out really, really well, so we're very thankful. It all came to be, and they've since been able to take it over, and it sounds like it sits back on the road and helping other people out, which is excellent to hear. There was actually a really big need, and she had no idea that I should mention as well. She didn't have a clue that we were looking to give our van away or even to sell it, um, you know. And because we were entirely sure. At the moment​, we were just thinking, like it'd be nice if we were if we were able to swing it financially, we would prefer to give it away as opposed to sell it. So, we weren't even sure at the time that we had that lunch what we were going to do, and uh​,after she had mentioned that the you know BCT really had need of uh of vehicles just because some of their fleet was down and getting old, and they needed repair. We prayed about that a little more, and we put the numbers together. We found out we were going to be able to just give it away, which was excellent. That was, that was the ideal for sure. It was just a great fit, and we were very thankful to be able to do it. It was really timely and based on what I've seen​, based on what I've heard from what Gwen has shared online, and there was a real big reaction to that, a very positive reaction, which is great. You don't do it for that kind of stuff, but it's definitely nice to see that. I think the biggest thing for us was just that the vehicle was able to help people you know and be a part of the community, like helping people out that don't have the ability to drive around so, to see that it was being used for that right away, and then it could fit into the fleet and be a big help to the community that's huge for us, so it's really it sounds like that's what's been going on, which is excellent, you know? That's exactly what we were hoping for. And it's really nice to see that it's been able to help some people out for sure. That was the goal. I think if it can help benefit BCT and or even Wattle and Daub [Café] or any of those organizations, that would be excellent. So, I hope that it can. It can promote what they're doing for sure, because, uh, that that would be a great thing. It sounds like what they're doing is really good, and it's helping a lot of people,” he says.   

On Jan. 22, BCT posted the following message on their Facebook page, highlighting the Mourtzanos' donation of their Honda minivan on Dec. 16, calling them “a very special family.” Dozens of comments on this posting highlighted the community's appreciation of the family's generosity in the face of some trying times for BCT.

“They know what we do. They had a picture in their mind of those individuals we drive to medical appointments; of those precious seniors that we deliver food to, and they felt this vehicle could be a blessing to so many that we serve.​  So, they brought it in, spic and span clean inside and out, topped up with gas, and I'm absolutely certain they left a piece of their heart on each of the seats inside the vehicle! It's been a tough week for BCT​; we are down four vehicles due to repairs for our aging fleet. What an incredible ​​Godsend  this vehicle has been. From the bottom of our hearts, Josh, Ana​, and your three precious munchkins…we say thank you! I hope these words can somehow convey to you what this donation means to BCT, to our community. Welcome​, new to us​,​ 'Caleb the Honda!' And may all who ride within feel protected, safe, loved.”

Coish told The Bancroft Times on Jan. 23 that it took her some time to form the words that would come close to the thankfulness she felt and still feel in her heart.

“This donation has given some reprieve to BCT, a bridge of sorts as we try to raise enough money to buy more vehicles, so that we can still take people to their appointments for life-saving care. And that is the bottom line in all of this. I have been with BCT for over 16 years. Our focus has always been to quietly transport individuals to their doctor's appointments, to medical procedures such as cancer care, dialysis, and life-saving treatments. We took on public transit to continue this work, to continue to offer a connection to local businesses, to decrease the sense of isolation that people feel. Our seniors that can no longer drive can still meet with their friends, have lunch, shop, go on outings to see the leaves or the Christmas lights. That's part of our mission now! In 16 years, I haven't experienced this wall that we are up against! Lack of funding for transportation, lack of understanding on the part of our government partners as to what rural transportation actually is. So, to experience this moment, with this young couple who so selflessly donated this van so that we could continue our work, quite honestly​, it has  restored my belief that there is more good than bad during this moment in time.   As we continue to fundraise to try to purchase an accessible van, it has changed my focus to show  the positives in all that we do. We need to remember the good. To Josh and Anastasija, thank you for restoring this part of me. This part that needs to lead BCT to where it's supposed to be. I want you to know that you have given more than the gift of just a vehicle; you have renewed our sense of purpose, so that we can continue to fight for all our residents in North Hastings,” she says. “It takes a village, and we are so grateful that you are part of it."