 The ORCA Bus is back on the road this month, with new pandemic safeguards in place. Chelsea Ballantyne, ORCA Bus Coordinator with the Powell River & District United Way, said the bus is delivering the same preschool activities to families across the region, with some COVID-era adjustments. “Like many local services, the ORCA Bus paused its activities in March out of an abundance of caution,” Ballantyne said. “In the six months since, we’ve been connecting with families on our social media channels while we work with our partners to plan a safe reopening.” That reopening has now happened. Autumn Ennenberg (Left), has been hired to drive the ORCA Bus. She is pictured with Chelsea Ballantyne,
ORCA Bus Coordinator for Powell River & District United Way.
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 ORCA Bus is back on the road in the Powell River area with new pandemic safeguards in place. The bus is delivering the same preschool activities to families across the region, with some COVID-era adjustments, stated ORCA bus coordinator Chelsea Ballantyne in a media release.
“Like many local services, the ORCA Bus paused its activities in March out of an abundance of caution,” stated Ballantyne. “In the six months since, we’ve been connecting with families on our social media channels while we work with our partners to plan a safe reopening.”  SNEAK PEAK: Images that represent the Powell River area, which came through community consultation, will adorn the outside of the new ORCA Bus. A reveal of the new design will take place next month. Contributed photo Finishing touches are being made on Powell River’s brand-new ORCA (On the Road with Children’s Activities) Bus mobile play-based learning centre before its big reveal Friday, October 11.
“We’ve got it here in Powell River.” said ORCA Bus coordinator Beth Zroback. “It arrived in early September and just finished all the mechanics and interior work.” ORCA Bus is a partnership between Powell River and District United Way, and School District 47. The original ORCA vehicle, a decommissioned school bus donated to the group in 2009, was in need of major repairs and upgrades, said Zroback.  A community consultation about the new design for Powell River’s ORCA (On the Road with Children’s Activities) Bus is now complete. A voting system has been created to allow community members to have the final say on ideas used to create images for the new mobile play-based learning centre when it arrives in August, according to a media release from ORCA Bus coordinator Beth Zroback on Friday, July 12. The original ORCA Bus above, a decommissioned school bus donated to the group in 2009,
was in need of major repairs and upgrades.  Powell River’s ORCA (On the Road with Children’s Activities) Bus mobile play-based learning centre is revitalized thanks to a $137,500 Powell River Community Forest grant. The funds allow the program to purchase an upgraded vehicle and expand programs.
“This grant has been a dream come true for our project,” said ORCA Bus coordinator Beth Zroback. “We have just sent in the order and expect the new bus to arrive early in the fall.” The ORCA Bus is a partnership between Powell River and District United Way, and School District 47. The original ORCA bus, a decommissioned school bus donated to the group in 2009, was in need of major repairs and upgrades.  Few issues or initiatives stir up emotions and rally the troops more than those involving children, especially children in need or those who benefit from community or government-sponsored programs.
With its recent selection as one of 10 nominated finalists competing for a $100,000 BCAA Play Here grant, Powell River’s ORCA (On the Road with Children’s Activities) Bus has an opportunity for its future to be dramatically altered. For nearly 10 years, the ORCA Bus has been rolling throughout the Powell River area, including Lund, Texada and Saltery Bay, and all stops in-between, delivering a StrongStart outreach program to children in the region, as well as other activities that are both play-based and educational.
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About UsThe ORCA Bus is an early years outreach vehicle dedicated to providing all children, in Powell River and qathet Regional District, with a good start in life. The ORCA Bus's mission is to ensure that all families have access to early years services. Archives
October 2020
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