A free RIDE benefits seniors

A free RIDE benefits seniors

Many senior citizens in Herkimer County say they'd be lost without a Catholic Charities program that gets them to their medical appointments.

As baby boomers also approach senior status and the need for transportation increases in rural areas, donations and volunteers grow in importance. Thus, Catholic Charities' RIDE (Retired Individuals Driving Elderly) program highlights a universal and often neglected need among senior populations.

Rural geography limits the public transportation system in Herkimer County, where about 18 percent of seniors don't drive. Family members aren't always available or willing to drive to distant appointments - and, Catholic Charities clients say, taxis are too expensive.

The New York State Office for the Aging provides transportation for appointments, but only within the county and only to individuals older than 60.

The RIDE program, its coordinator says, is special for several reasons. For one thing, volunteers chauffeur people as young as 55 - and, in some instances, infants and young adults.

The program's boundaries extend beyond Herkimer County into Otsego County and sometimes as far away as Onondaga County. Moreover, volunteers accompany clients to the medical office, rather than dropping them off and waiting for a pickup call.

About 30 program volunteers also spend social time with lonely people, even preparing meals sometimes.

Special someone
Gail Domion, one of about 28 drivers and an award-winning volunteer, often takes clients to hair stylists and grocery stores. A Mohawk resident whose Baptist church advocates service hours, volunteering is important to her.

"I believe it's my ministry, helping other people."

After one client had cataract surgery, the doctor required that someone stay by her side for the remainder of the day. Ms. Domion stayed at the client's house until midnight.

Late-night hours are nothing new to Ms. Domion, who will retire next month from her job at a resource center for persons with mental handicaps and disabilities. Her usual shift is midnight to 8:30 a.m.

She volunteers for a food pantry three nights a week and for the RIDE program five days a week since last year. Clocking 10,000 miles already, she's helped 181 people get to their destinations.

RIDE facts
• Catholic Charities' RIDE program has been around for 25 years.

• The program is about 10 drivers shy of its desired crew to accommodate 133 clients; volunteers fill the gaps.

• Drivers racked up 30,000 miles this fiscal year. The advent of community clinics cut down out-of-county trips by 25,000 miles in the past five years.

• Program coordinator Eleanor Reina-Tamburro is a part-time Catholic Charities employee; a volunteer dispatcher helps with requests.

• Program expenses - background, motor vehicle record and insurance checks; diocesan child protection training; and gas reimbursement for volunteers - are covered by state, federal and private programs and private donations.

• Businesses can advertise on volunteers' cars during volunteer hours for $1,000 a year. This brought Catholic Charities $3,100 last year.

• To volunteer, donate or sponsor a driver, call Eleanor or Lydia at (315) 894-9917.

(07/22/10)