From Drive a Senior, this month's Get Involved spotlight non-profit:
Meeting the Needs of our Community
For most of us, car keys represent freedom and independence. Staying connected is essential to healthy aging, but without transportation, many seniors feel stuck and alone. Public transportation may not be available in their area, or they are surviving on a restricted income. For thousands of senior citizens in our community, not having transportation may mean they are no longer able to stay in their own homes.
Drive a Senior is a free volunteer based service provided to residents over the age of 60 in the greater Austin Metropolitan area, Elgin, Hutto, Pflugerville and Round Rock to help our senior neighbors. Drive a Senior provides the following services at no charge to our client:
· Reliable, personalized transportation for medical appointments, grocery shopping, community activities, and personal or business errands
· Grocery and prescription delivery
· Yard work and minor home repairs
· Home visits
· Telephone reassurance calls
· “Loaned” medical equipment for those in need
In 2015, the 1,402 Drive a Senior volunteers dedicated over 61,334 hours of their time driving, and provided 29,785 rides to 2,381 our seniors neighbors. Become a volunteer TODAY!
How you can help
Volunteer! To be a driver, friendly visitor, or handy man. Flexible online scheduling to volunteer makes it easy to be part of the team.
Donate! Make a financial contribution or a donation of medical equipment.
Amplify your Donation: March 8-9th
A Story From the Road:
Since the passing of her beloved husband, Ernie, of 58 years, Dorothy immersed herself in crafts to keep her mind engaged, and her hands busy so that she didn't dwell as much on the loss of her high-school sweetheart and the loneliness she felt.
Dorothy, 82, prided herself on her ability to drive herself to the craft store for yarns and knick-knacks for her projects. Two months ago, her driver’s license was revoked after a minor traffic accident. Friends and family were never available to take her on her errands, especially to her beloved craft store. She was considered a “shut in”. Dorothy quickly found her health waning and her emotions plummeting. Then a friend told her about Drive a Senior.
Dorothy’s volunteer picks her up every two weeks for a trip to the craft store and the grocery store. This allows Dorothy access to the vital food she needs to survive and the items she needs to remain active. These trips also provide time to socialize. Dorothy describes her volunteer as “the light” in her life. As a result, Dorothy’s physical and emotional health has improved. Her volunteer states that her own health has also benefited from her time together with Dorothy.
Be “the light” in the life of a senior in your community…volunteer for Drive a Senior.
