News Link Updates
No surprise, it has been an incredibly busy spring and summer! We’ve got new and amazing talent, Trade Show photos, a cross country adventure, Open Houses, Babies… and more, just read on! As we all know it’s an ever changing world. The 2011 model year is a great example with all three of the major minivans changing enough to warrant at least some tweaks to the lowered floor designs which meant that all three required updated crash testing. As always, If you have any relevant news you think we should share, please feel free to drop us a line!
David Scales the CN Tower for Charity!
On Thursday October 20, 2011 at 6 p.m. and on Sunday October 23, 2011 at 6 a.m., almost 90 WSIB employees, family and friends became a team, We Summit Immense Buildings (WSIB) and climbed the 1776 steps in completing the Enbridge CN Tower Climb for the United Way. Sparrow Hawk’s David Hutchison took part in the climb. It was a gruelling accomplishment and worth every step. To date, the WSIB has remained among the top 10 corporate teams in terms of total funds raised. So far, 30 climbers have raised over $250 each. David is currently the top WSIB record-setting climber, so far raising $2,925, smashing the WSIB record of $2,500. Way to go David!
Greg Moore's Cross Country Trip
Here’s a great story that appeared in the Kitchener Waterloo Record recently about a long time Sparrow Hawk client looking for adventure. Go Greg!
Travel partner sought for epic road trip
KITCHENER — He’s billing it to be a road trip of epic proportions — a two-month odyssey from Kitchener to Los Angeles with stops at the kitschiest, most memorable roadside attractions around.
This is Greg Moore’s ultimate adventure. And he’s looking for a good stranger, or possibly two, to share it with him.
“This is pretty out there,” Moore admits of his plans. “But I wanted something that would be memorable.”
The 42-year-old Kitchener resident posted an ad last week on the free classified website Kijiji.ca in search of his perfect road trip partners.
“We will weave our way across the United States seeing every small town giant ball of wool, world’s biggest cement kite, the southwest’s biggest marshmallow there is to see on our way,” the ad purports.
The witty posting took him more than an hour to write, and several proof-reading attempts, before he was prepared to post it to the world.
In less than four days, it had more than 1,000 hits.
Moore, who has travelled extensively throughout North America, said he’s been thinking about this trip for some time.
“When I was 10, my family did the whole station wagon family road trip,” Moore explained. “It took a month and I still remember parts of that trip.”
Since the posting went up, Moore has had more than 30 responses. Some are well wishes. Others have questions about what the gig entails.
That’s because on top of the adventure of a lifetime, this is also a paying job.
Moore is offering $25 a day plus food and accommodations to whoever he selects to accompany him on the trip.
There are a few requirements. Moore, who has used a wheelchair since a motorcycle accident in his youth, needs someone who can lift him and help him through some accessibility challenges he anticipates will come with some of the “non-wheelchair intended situations” he’s got planned. Those include kayaking, getting in a helicopter and a possible buffalo-wrangling excursion.
He’s also looking for someone easy-going with the same adventurous spirit.
“I’m looking for someone with the energy of youth,” he said, adding that age itself isn’t really an issue.
A passport and driver’s licence are musts, as is someone who “isn’t freaked out by people who sit,” Moore notes in the ad, and “and isn’t going to push me in to the Grand Canyon and steal my van.”
Moore plans to blog about the journey and hopes to find someone who is interested in chronicling it as well through photos and writing.
While it all might sound like a great deal of fun, there is a point to this adventure.
Frustrated by the accessibility challenges posed by Canadian winters, Moore is looking for warmer climes to spend those months. He suspects somewhere in the American southwest might be just the place.
The plan is to head out in Moore’s van sometime in September and return in November.
That’s all fairly flexible, and he’s looking for itinerary suggestions from the candidate — or candidates — selected. The plan is to hold interviews with all potential candidates. He’s not expecting it to be easy.
“I am getting worried that selecting a person is going to become a full-time job,” Moore joked. “I’m going to have to hire a recruiting company.”
Moore is accepting applications via e-mail at gameplayergreg@gmail.com.
mdalton@therecord.comGreg is now into his journey. Follow him on his blog at: http://www.rollingjourney.com.
Congratulations to Leslie Airth
Congratulations to Leslie Airth sales person extraordinaire from our Toronto location on the birth of daughter Natalie! She was born on July 16th at 1:31am and weighed in at 8 lbs 13 ozs. Everyone is doing well, but we miss Leslie terribly while she takes time to enjoy Motherhood.
Welcome Andy!
We are very pleased to announce the appointment of Andy Sinclair to the role of Sales Representative, Shoppers Home Healthcare Automotive Division. Andy will be working in our Toronto office and focusing on the eastern GTA through Ottawa corridor.
Andy has many years of experience in the adapted vehicle field and is well known across the entire country by professionals and peers in both the vehicle modification and rehab business’ . For several years Andy was National Sales Representative for Viewpoint Mobility in Oakville. Most recently Andy fulfilled that same role for Savaria Vehicle Group in Brampton Ontario.
Andy’s excellent customer service and vast product knowledge have already proven to be a great asset to the Automotive Division! Welcome Andy!
VMI Training School
Over a dozen technicians and sales personnel attended the recent Vantage Mobility (VMI) Sales and Service training seminar. Shoppers Automotive team members from across Canada met in Toronto for the two day conference to receive training for the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan and Honda Odyssey conversions, as well as taking time to network and reconnect. The group was divided into two classes for in depth training in sales and technical aspects.
As the largest, most experienced company in the wheelchair accessible vehicle marketplace, Shoppers is committed to keeping staff up to date with the most current information available to serve you better! With the most knowledgeable staff in the industry, you can rest assured that you’ll get the best service possible whether it be advice concerning vehicle modifications, or accurate timely repairs.
People in Motion Trade Show
The annual People in Motion trade show was held again this year in early June. As always, Shoppers Automotive Division attended in full force along with plenty of help from our vendors. Thanks to Adapt Solutions, Braun, Goshichi, and VMI for their support!
This year we featured a pick up truck modified by Goshichi. The company, based in Fort Wayne Indiana, offers lowered floor pick up truck conversions on GMC trucks. Look for more information about these exciting conversions on our site soon!
Buy with Confidence
The Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council (OMVIC) has launched a new program encouraging consumers make their vehicle purchase from a registered dealer. Did you know that Shoppers Home Health Care has been a registered dealer in Ontario for almost 5 years? With over 20 licensed sales people on staff nationally, you can Buy with Confidence! Read more about the many benefits of buying from a registered dealer: www.buywithconfidence.ca
For more information concerning vehicle purchases in British Columbia please visit: http://www.mdcbc.com/
For more information concerning vehicle purchases in Alberta please visit: http://www.amvic.org/
The Ralph Braun Story
Ralph Braun founder of BraunAbility, has spent his life thumbing his nose at spinal muscular atrophy, the disease that put him in a wheelchair. Here is a link to a short biography of his remarkable journey:
Watch the video