St. Brigid's needs your help. The church is currently raising money to purchase a bus that will service the senior residents living within the parish boundaries.

The bus will cater to the needs of residents from Westbury, New Cassel, East Meadow and Carle Place. To be eligible, a senior does not have to be a member of the parish nor do they have to be Catholic. The bus will most likely be driven by a volunteer, either for free or for a stipend.

Terry Patterson, coordinator of the church's Winter Grace Outreach program, said the bus will greatly benefit the seniors and physically challenged members of St. Brigid's Parish. "The most challenging need of our homebound seniors and otherwise physically challenged persons is for transportation to medical appointments, shopping, banking and to our new Senior Connections day program and other necessary activities," said Patterson. "It will also be used to take well seniors on trips."

To fund the bus, St. Brigid's received a $33,000 grant from the New York State Department of Transportation. Although the grant covers 80 percent of the cost, the parish is responsible for the remaining 20 percent ($8,000) as well as an additional 15 percent ($6,000) to offset the first year's operating expenses. So far, the church has raised $6,000 in private and corporate donations.

"While we have been doing various fund-raising events, we are also turning to local corporations, organizations and individuals to donate to this very needed bus transportation in our community," said Patterson.

Local businesses such as Hicks Nurseries, Westbury Podiatry, Continental State Fair Bingo and the Donohue Cecere Funeral Directors have also contributed to the cause. St. Brigid's is also selling soup/coffee mugs with the church design. The cost of the mugs is $8 for one; $15 for two.

In order to raise the necessary difference, Borders Books and Music in Westbury will be assisting St. Brigid's by sponsoring Borders Benefits Days, Friday, May 17 through Sunday, May 19. During this three-day period, Borders will donate 15 percent of all purchases to the St. Brigid's Senior Connection Bus Fund. For the donation to be valid, patrons must submit a donation coupon at checkout.

Support for the bus is needed, said Patterson, to provide services to seniors that others take for granted. "Our Senior Transportation Services will benefit everyone [but] one of the greatest beneficiaries of the bus will be the homebound and frail elderly who will be able to come to the Senior Connections Day Program," she said. "It is breaking the isolation, the destitution of those seniors at home; everything we take for granted and we can do. This will open a whole new world for people."

Patterson said she is hoping all money will be raised by June so that the church will be able to obtain the bus by the fall. Donations can be mailed to St. Brigid's Senior Connections, 75 Post Avenue, Westbury, NY 11590 or by calling Ed Lopez at 333-5314. All checks should be made payable to St. Brigid Senior Connections.