Sep 22, 2020
The Catholic Charities Center for Community Involvement Transportation Service operates entirely with volunteer drivers. The criteria for receiving ride service is a 60+ age requirement, must be ambulatory, and list two points of contact. Our volunteer drivers make it possible for riders to keep medical appointments, attend to personal business, and do light grocery shopping.
The uniqueness of our service is that our awesome volunteer drivers provide door-to-door service and patiently wait for each passenger for their round trip ride, free of charge. Being a free service is key to providing peace of mind to the rider and providing a sense of independence.
The Fuel in Our "Little Engine That Could"
Our remarkable volunteers, with diverse backgrounds, bring their passion for helping seniors. They are homemakers, engineers, accountants, students, lawyers, business folk, Veterans, therapists, and nurses. Each volunteer accomplishes so much beyond what is required of them in their roles as drivers or office schedulers.They are tremendous listeners, attentive to their passengers, and keep a watchful eye so they make report to our staff of there is a need for additional resource referrals. All our drivers say that they receive so much more than they give.
We Have The Best Volunteers!
The following volunteers make life sustating trips possible for seniors
Nancy and Marianne have been volunteer drivers with Catholic Charities since 1992; Ellen is not far behind having started in 1995. They recount stories about interesting people they have met throughout the years.
One recalls the pumpkin farmer, the doctor from Russia, and a lady who was one of 13 children from one of New Mexico's pioneer families. Others marvel at the military history of our seniors, or the generation that remembers when a handshake and a person’s word was all that was needed to conduct business.
Clara Mae is the most recognized volunteer by riders, drivers, and staff. She has been a trip scheduler for 18 years and seldom misses work. At 86 years years young, Clara Mae is an inspiration to all who know her.
Jack, another scheduler, has a robust voice, a gentle spirit, and a great sense of humor. His wife Sharon is a driver and a general office volunteer. They perform their duties with so much joy that their enthusiasm is infectious. They also bring freshly baked cookies, every Tuesday!
John, a retired software engineer, is our database guru who enhanced our scheduling capabilities and grants our every wish in his field of expertise. His skills are highly sought out by other in other Centers as well.
Bill, Ed, Paula, Dave, Lou, Rosalie, Claretta, Jack, and Mary drive three to four times a week, some as early as 5:00 am and others as late as 6:00 pm. They can also be called upon “In a pinch”.
John, Bob, Jack, Joe, Vicente, Cathie, Jim, Colleen, Kay, Loyola, Jean, Cheryl, Molly, Rosemary, Candice, Marty, Barbara, Sheila, Michael, Lois, Rebecca, Tim, Harris, Rod, Molly, Lauren, Margaret, Mark, Juanita, Elaine, Jonathan, Grace, Chuck, Isabella, Raymond, Cindy, and Terry may only drive one or two days a week because of work schedules or other volunteer commitments, but they are just as dependable and committed. They complete our team of heartfelt service.
These amazing people provide approximately 13,000 trips a year, logging 25,000 miles, and 5,000 volunteer hours.
99% Satisfaction
We receive letters,cards, and phone calls all the time from riders expressing appreciation and gratitude for the wonderful service. They always have glowing remarks about our drivers who clearly live by the words Mother Theresa wrote, “We may not do great things, but small things with great love”.