Today's post is a creative attempt to express our deep appreciation to all of our fabulous volunteer drivers.  Please imagine our staff singing together-- with impeccable pitch, in perfect unison, with much grandiosity and heartfelt spirit.  Please also envision some stellar accompanying dance moves.


The tune to this song is "Rubber Duckie" from Sesame Street.  It has come to our attention that many folks are unfamiliar with this classic song, so you can first get a taste of the tune here.  Please also feel free to create your own melody.

So, without further ado, here is our little ditty for your entertainment (clearing vocal chords):

Volunteer drivers, we love you!
You are heroes through and through.
Volunteer drivers, you’re lifesavers, it’s true!
(woh woh, bee doh!)

You brighten seniors’ days.
Volunteer Drivers, you’re amazing in oh-so-many ways!
(doo doo dooooo, doo doo)

Oh, when a senior
is feeling lonely and melancholy,
you take them for a ride
and then they feel energized and jolly!
(drive-a-drive-drive!)

You are hardly ever late.
Volunteer drivers, you are easy to appreciate!
(Yeah yeah yeah yeah)

Volunteer drivers, we love you!
You are heroes through and through.
Volunteer drivers, we just wanted to say “THANK YOU!”
OPTIONAL: (you, you, you, you!)

We hope that you have enjoyed our musical message of thanks.  We are determined to never run out of ways to tell our volunteer drivers how grateful we are for all that they do!

Just a couple short months ago, Robert Cuffel became the newest member of our Hyde Shuttle Volunteer Driver team in Des Moines.  We were all elated to have him on board, as the program was (and still is) in great need of additional drivers.  Robert seamlessly adjusted to his new role with a wonderful can-do attitude and has already become an invaluable part of the Hyde community. 

• What made you decide to become a Hyde Shuttle volunteer driver?  As a retiree, I wanted to give back to our community.  There is a great need.
• What do you enjoy most about serving as a driver thus far? The clients are wonderful.  I feel fortunate helping out.
• What has been the most interesting part of this volunteer job? The most interesting and challenging part was to become familiar with the addresses.  I generally drive to familiar locations without taking note of the addresses.  It was somewhat humbling to view driving in this new context.
• Why do you think this is such a needed service in our community? People are very busy with the demands of their jobs, families and friends.  In my case, I wasn't aware of how the great the need is.
• Is there anything that you’ve learned or reflected about because of your role of volunteer driver that you’d like to share with us? How very fortunate I and my family are to have independence and good health to enjoy. 

Thank you to Robert for so quickly and thoughtfully jumping into the world of the Hyde Shuttles!  We hope that he continues to enjoy his service with the program for years to come, and that many others join this admirable team as well.

And now for a few words from one of our sponsors!  The Viva Volunteers Fair is one of many opportunities that has been presented to us to find much-needed volunteer drivers, and we’ll be there spreading the word about the amazing joys and rewards of serving with Volunteer Transportation in just a few short weeks.  If you live on the Eastside, please drop on by!

Do you want to get involved in volunteer work, but haven’t found the right program?   Viva Volunteers! Fair  on Saturday, April 5 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at Peter Kirk Community Center is just what you need – and it’s free.

Viva Volunteers! is presented for people of all ages by the Kirkland Senior Council. 

We're looking forward to it.  It's always uplifting to meet others who love volunteering as much as we do!

This handout was produced by Seattle residents with early-stage dementia.

In our various roles within Senior Services’ Transportation Program, we often come across seniors living with dementia.   This can be challenging and upsetting for us to encounter, and our hearts go out to those grappling with their new memory-related struggles of daily living.

 Yet, a local program (often given the name of “Momentia”) attempts to de-stigmatize dementia and remind us of the many gifts seniors with Alzheimer’s disease have to offer.  The positive spirit and hope of Momentia are very inspiring, and participants are emboldened and empowered by its various offerings.  Hence, we’d like to share more about this program with you today.

Marigrace Becker offers lively and descriptive reflections about Momentia on the ChangingAging blog.  She proclaims,
“This, together, is Momentia. A new story told most compellingly and vividly by people living with dementia. A community transformation unfolding as the new story surges onward, leaving its tangible and joyful mark in our museums, parks, community centers, art galleries, stadiums and coffee shops. An irresistible invitation for us all to play a part in abundantly life-giving ways.

And through it all, we use the word to celebrate. The old dementia story has come to an end. The new dementia story is emerging. Momentia! Try saying it. It must, in fact, be exclaimed. The word springs from the lips, proclaiming, transforming, inviting. Momentia! There’s a new dementia story being told. It’s a hopeful story, it’s a triumphant story, and we’re all a part of it. Momentia! We’re not afraid anymore. We are celebrating. Because as dementia is on the rise, so is Momentia!”

It’s hard not to get excited about Momentia with such enlivening words!  KUOW recently aired a story about the program’s group at the Greenwood Senior Center, which you can listen to here, and you can also find out more about Momentia on its Facebook page.  In addition, our post is very timely because an entertaining Momentia evening showcasing the "new dementia story” told by persons with memory loss will take place on Tuesday, March 11, 2014 from 5:30PM to 7:30PM, at The Kendall Center, Taproot Theatre.   You can find out more with the flyer located here.   We hope to see you there.

Let’s get some powerful momentum rolling for Momentia!