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Community helps senior in need

“Scott is able to be mobile again with a little more ease.”
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HANNA PETERSEN PHOTO Community members came together to donate in order to replace the batteries in Scott Kristenson’s wheelchair.

A group of donors has come together to fix a Port Hardy senior citizen’s wheelchair.

“Once again, our community has come together to help someone in need of assistance,” said Helen Seitz, in a letter to the Gazette.

Scott Kristenson, a resident of Port Hardy for over 30 years, inherited a motorized wheelchair from a member of the Hardy Bay Seniors Centre who had passed away earlier this year.

The two batteries in the wheelchair were no longer working so Kristenson was unable to use it. Helen noted the batteries were “extremely expensive to replace”.

Kristenson previously owned a manual wheelchair, but he would become exhausted after a long day of using the chair.

Rick Seitz, Helen’s husband and the chair of the Hardy Bay Senior Citizen Society, decided to ask for help from others in the community.

Napa Auto Parts, Dave Landon Motors, The Port Hardy Legion, Keltic Seafoods, The Lions Club, and an anonymous donor all made donations so Rick Seitz was able to purchase the batteries for Kristenson.

“Scott is able to be mobile again with a little more ease,” said Helen, adding “all of these people and so many others are what makes Port Hardy a great community to live in.”

Kristenson said he was happy to have the chair working. “Oh, it’s just beautiful - I can get around so much easier now.”

Mike and Monica Susak, managers at High View Trailer Park, volunteered to build a ramp to Kristenson’s trailer so he can get the wheelchair in and out more easily.

Bob Hunter from High View Trailer Park donated $200 and Tom at Hardy Builders Supply also donated the lumber used to build the ramp.

“I’d like to thank the Seniors Society very kindly, their help and generosity has been outstanding,” said Kristenson, adding “I thank you very much, from my wife Loretta and I.”