For the past six years, Jay has served as a RSVP Provide-A-Ride driver helping elderly seniors with rides to medical appointments an average of four times per week. He serves faithfully because he enjoys knowing he can help others who are not able to help themselves.
RSVP Provide-A-Ride clients can’t drive long distances, and most no longer drive. They rely on their friends and family as much as they can, but often it’s difficult for them to find someone available during the day. We fill in those gaps when family and friends can’t help. For many of our clients, our volunteers like Jay are their only source of transportation to keep their medical appointments.
Jay shares how much RSVP Provide-A-Ride has meant to our clients who now depend on us:
I got involved with RSVP Provide-A-Ride as a way to help people who are not able to help themselves. Many of our clients can’t drive far from home and need help getting to their doctors. I pick them up at their homes, take them to their appointments, and stay with them; so when their appointment is over, they don’t have to wait for someone to come back to pick them up. This level of stress-free service is very important to them, and they are always so thankful for what we do.
For Jay, RSVP Provide-A-Ride also gives him an opportunity to meet people and make new friends. It keeps him active and, most of all, it opens the door for him to give back and make a difference in the lives of low-income seniors who must rely on the kindness of our volunteers to meet their transportation needs.