Raymond Leveille has a life motto: Do your best, forget the rest and keep on smiling.
“And that’s what I do, I do my best,” he said.
The Timmins man recently donated a 2014 Dodge Caravan to Community Living Timmins where it will be used at one of the agency’s homes that was in need of an accessible van.
“Some of the residents at this home utilize wheelchairs for their mobility and having an accessible vehicle to attend important appointments in the community such as recreational outings and medical appointment is wonderful,” said Amanda Wessman, Community Living Timmins manager of community services and development.
The organization is funded through the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS), but does not receive funding for the transportation needs of the people it services. To fill these needs, Wessman said they rely on fundraising, donations and grant writing.
Leveille bought the van new in 2014 for his wife Janice, who had MS. She passed away in September 2019, a day before their 38th wedding anniversary.
Buying the van gave the Leveilles freedom. Now, it’s making life easier for residents at Community Living Timmins, which provides services and support to more than 200 people with an intellectual disability in the Timmins area.
After Janice passed away, Leveille tried to sell it. While there was some interest in it, the van was never sold. A friend from First Baptist Church suggested Leveille give the van away instead. “That was a gift from God, that van,” he said. “If it was a gift then I can give it away as a gift.”
Making the donation, said Leveille, is what his wife would have wanted. “My wife is smiling down on us today because we did something really good. We did something that’s helping the community,” he said.
