Vandals damage bus Sydney nursing home raised funds for during pandemic
The new bus at MacGillivray Guest Home in Sydney, N.S., has seen better days after being hit hard by vandals over the weekend.
"Sick. Sick to my stomach," said nursing home resident Mildred MacDonald.
MacDonald, 94, is among the nursing home residents who enjoys using the bus for day trips. The outings have been in shorter supply during COVID-19, and now the residents' mode of transportation has been dealt a serious blow.
"Two years of fundraising went into it. It's not even a year old," said Kim Hooper, the director of recreation and volunteer services at the guest home
More than $30,000 was collected through an online fundraiser to replace the home's old bus. In October of last year -- smack in the middle of the pandemic -- the new bus finally arrived. Hooper says it was damaged at about 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.
"We had four individuals that accessed our property through the wooded area behind MacGillivray Guest Home," Hooper said. "Our bus was parked out back, just because of the renovations that are taking place here at our home."
The home's security video -- along with pictures taken by staff -- have been forwarded to police.
"They did smash out one of the side windows, that was a very expensive window to replace," Hooper said. "We have to get that one specially ordered through Carolina, in the States and there was some body damage."
The bus has received some temporary repairs. However, when it comes to some of the activities that residents had planned for this week, the damage has already been done.
"We just now started going to our restaurants again," Hooper said. "Today, the residents were supposed to be at the Casino. But all of that has been put on hold until our adjustor shows up."
Hooper says much of the damage will be covered by insurance, but that the home will have to pay a $2,000 deductible. "It was just a senseless act of vandalism and 108 residents are feeling that today," she said.
Meanwhile, Mildred MacDonald had a message for whomever is responsible.
"I hope you're punished, because you're old enough to know better, whoever you are," she said.
Cape Breton Regional Police are investigating. Hooper is asking anyone who sees anything suspicious near the guest home to contact the authorities.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
World's record-breaking hot temperature streak stretches through April
The world just experienced its hottest April on record, extending an 11-month streak in which every month set a temperature record, the European Union's climate change monitoring service said on Wednesday.
BREAKING Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Trial begins for Winnipeg serial killer who claims he was mentally ill
The trial of a man who admits he killed four women in Winnipeg is set to begin Wednesday, and a law professor says lawyers for Jeremy Skibicki have multiple hurdles to clear for a defence of mental illness.