By By Lydia Grimes – features reporter
Escambia County families in need have transportation available to medical appointments thanks to an effort by the Escambia County Healthcare department and the Coalition for a Healthier Escambia County.
Wheels of Wellness has taken the place of the “Kid One” program which was providing for Monroe and Conecuh counties as well as Escambia County. Kid One provided non-emergency transportation for children and pregnant mothers to medical facilities for appointments or treatments. When it was decided to pull Kid One out of south Alabama, an alternative was to set up the WOW program.
Wheels of Wellness is one of two new agencies supported by funding from the United Fund of the Brewton Area.
The new program started in July of this year has gone very well, said Phillip Parker, administrator of D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital.
The Coalition for a Healthier Escambia County is an informal group of individuals that meet every month and serves as a way to address health problems all over the county. Because of the coalition's involvement with Kid One, the members felt it appropriate for the coalition to try to secure other means to continue the service.
Wheels of Wellness was created to fulfill that need. Through the assistance of local groups and citizens, WOW has been in operation for the past several months.
Parker said demand for the service is high.
United Fund is currently working toward a $90,000 fund-raising goal this fall. Anyone interested in donating can write to P.O. Box 34, Brewton, 36427.