Announcement of volunteer program to provide sustainable transportation for seniors and people with visual disabilities

From Bill Wasch, co-board chair of ITN Central Ct.

A new local non-profit has been formed that provides personalized door-to-door & arm-to-arm transportation for seniors and people with visual disabilities in Middletown, Cromwell, Durham, East Hampton, Portland, Haddam, Middlefield and Wethersfield. The organization is seeking volunteers willing to drive seniors to medical appointments, shopping, church, and personal appointments for services ranging from hair care to nail care. It has offices at the Church of the Holy Trinity at 381 Main St. Individuals interested in availing themselves of this transportation service can sign up for a small annual fee and pay through a prepaid account for a per mile charge and pick up fee and drop off fee.

All volunteer drivers are trained and screened through a computer-based data system and they have access to back up insurance over and above their own insurance. Individuals interested in becoming a member and accessing the driving service or willing to volunteer to drive should contact GW Frazier, manager, at 860-346-7433 for more details. A typical example of the service is a Middletown woman who is driven to and from her dialysis treatments three times a week.

A more extensive discussion of how this valuable service can assist both individuals and family caregivers can be seen on the regional ITN web site. Often seniors feel isolated and removed from society because of their inability to drive; this service is designed to put them back in the driver’s seat.