‘Driven’ with Compassion: Giving Rides Fosters Meaningful Connections

Mary Durante is accustomed to helping others. In addition to raising five children, she worked as both a paramedic and high school special education teacher. She filled her time with volunteer work for the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and office within her church. She also served as the caretaker for many friends and family members who’d fallen ill, helping them in their most vulnerable moments.

Yet, after a lifetime of giving, Mary had to make the difficult transition from being the “helper” to the “helped.” At age 80, she has come to rely on the assistance of others as her health and physical limitations prevent her from living independently. Mary has learned to accept support from a variety of people including Ron Vandenberg.

Ron is one of Mary’s volunteer drivers through Senior Services’ Volunteer Transportation Program. Each week, he uses his car to take Mary and other local seniors to important medical appointments. However, Ron and Mary are quick to point out that the program is about much more than just a ride; it represents a great deal to both of them.

To Mary, Volunteer Transportation is a “Godsend.” In addition to ensuring that she is able to access needed medical care, the program helps her get out of the house and meet new people. These connections are very important to her, and she feels as though Ron and other volunteer drivers have become like “old friends.” She says, “I honestly don’t know what I’d do without it. I’d be lost.”

For Ron, volunteering as a driver is a meaningful way to spend his time. Ron retired after a lengthy career in construction and jokes, “It keeps me out of trouble!” Like Mary, Ron is no stranger to volunteering. But what he likes best about his role in Volunteer Transportation Services is spending time with the clients, especially “talking to them and learning from them.”

Mary and Ron embody many themes of the Volunteer Transportation program: compassion for others, involvement in the community, supporting older adults to remain as healthy and independent as they can, and connecting with other people.

Senior Services’ Volunteer Transportation Program needs more volunteers like Ron to support Mary and other “primetime” residents who do not want the barriers and challenges of aging to limit their rich potential. If you have the “drive” to help others and enjoy giving rides, this is the volunteer job for you! Use your own vehicle and choose the weekdays, times, and areas in which you want to drive. We provide supplemental liability insurance and offer mileage reimbursement. For more information, visit www.seniorservices.org/transportation or contact Hilary at 206-748-7588 or hilaryc@seniorservices.org.

This article appeared in the October 2012 issue of Northwest Prime Time, the Puget Sound region’s monthly publication celebrating life after 50.