Volunteer Drivers Needed to Calm Nerves

July 31, 2015 at 10:54 a.m.
Volunteer driver, Reta Beals, escorts Fern to an appointment in Seattle.
Volunteer driver, Reta Beals, escorts Fern to an appointment in Seattle.

...by Hilary Case

71-year-old Fern Malavaceo does not know what she’d do without Volunteer Transportation. Forty years ago, she decided that driving was not for her. It caused her great anxiety, especially after she’d had multiple harrowing experiences behind the wheel on freeways in the rain. She relied on her kids to take her to appointments when they could, but she often felt stuck when they were unavailable. Her life changed when she registered for Volunteer Transportation three years ago. She says, “The program is such a blessing!”

For Fern, Volunteer Transportation is about comfort and familiarity. She explains, “The drivers are awesome! They are so considerate. They’re like family members to me.” She loves how volunteers typically wait for her as she’s in an appointment and reports that she always feels supported throughout the whole process.

Fern (and others like her) make it clear that volunteer drivers have an amazing ability to ease stress and calm nerves. They bring Zen to the art of giving rides.

~~~Volunteer drivers are needed throughout King County! You can make a difference in the lives of local seniors like Fern. Take your compassion to the roads! Apply here or contact Hilary at (206)748-7588 or hilaryc@seniorservices.org to find out more.


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