Video Transcript
I started volunteer driving for another agency five years ago. It was a United Way program called Neighbor Rides, and that went fairly well for a couple of years. During that time, I provided rides for a number of VABVI clients and got to know some of them better than others. I spent more time with VABVI clients while taking them places, so about two and a half years ago, I shifted almost all of my volunteer time to the Association. I would say I average 14 to 16 rides a week. I’m available five days a week, but I certainly don’t drive all five—maybe two hours one day, five or six the next, depending on the rides. I stayed with it because my wife and family encouraged me, and honestly, it’s selfish in a lot of ways because I thoroughly enjoy the cast of characters I get to meet. And I mean that in a positive way—these are intriguing people. I’ve even met two individuals who knew my dad from World War II. My mom was a war bride; my dad was stationed in Scotland, and she became part of a war brides club. I met someone who remembered her—in their 90s. Those are the kinds of amazing moments you won’t find in a typical volunteer experience.
I’ve enjoyed working with the staff as well; it’s truly a pleasure. I plan to continue as long as I can—hopefully a few more years—and meet new folks, though I already know most of them by now. We have a group of anywhere from 25 to 35 people I drive regularly, and eight or ten I see weekly or twice a month and have gotten to know well. That’s the interesting part: they have great stories about their lives, and some have wonderful stories about the Association and the kinds of assistance they’ve received—whether it’s financial help with their checkbook, shopping trips, or using the library. Many clients are aware of other state services primarily because VABVI has guided or referred them. As drivers, we don’t do much of the referral work—we’re mostly the transportation end of things.
There are a few people who, without rides or support—whether library services, health service referrals, or coordination with retina centers—might be stuck at home without much to do. Getting them out of the house can be a nice interlude, but more importantly, VABVI helps them access the services they need. VABVI is a valuable resource not only for rides, which are crucial, but also for coordinating and guiding people to the right services. Drivers aren’t counselors or caseworkers, but we sometimes serve as a friendly bridge.
For our bi-monthly PALS meetings, I drive people there and then stay with them for a bit. Recently the Lions Club hosted a lunch, which was very pleasant. It’s important to strike the right balance—to be friendly and supportive without creating the impression that VABVI can solve every issue. We’re here to help, and sometimes just to guide, not necessarily to provide every resource.
Some of my favorite rides are the long-distance trips. One limitation we have is that we must stay within Vermont for travel. For example, someone going to White River Junction recently needed to connect to another ride headed to a specialist in Boston. I picked her up again a few days later. That’s three hours of getting to know someone—whether they nap, relax, or chat—and that’s healthy for them and for this retired guy, too. We do trips to Montpelier, Rutland, the Northeast Kingdom, and St. Albans. St. Albans, as part of the UVM Medical Center system, is sometimes where we go because the main facility is so booked. Without volunteer transportation, many people simply couldn’t get to their appointments.
Another organization people rely on is SSTA; they do about 700 rides a day and are a terrific group. The process, however, can be very difficult for many folks—scheduling a ride, waiting for pickup, and so on. It’s a great service but limited. I think people feel more relaxed with volunteer drivers. We offer a comfortable environment. Often, if someone has a quick 40-minute appointment, I’ll just wait. If I have another ride in between—say a retina appointment that takes two hours—I’ll do that, too. People rely on us in a good way. They know they can trust us. That’s not to say other services aren’t trustworthy—it’s simply that the process can be difficult, and we’re able to make it a bit easier.
