Friday, March 27, 2015
In the News!
KING 5, a local NBC affiliate, aired a story about our Volunteer Transportation program and its need for volunteer drivers earlier this week. Through poignant footage of Claire Anderson (client) and Judy Goett (volunteer driver), the report demonstrates how King County residents can "give a lift and lift spirits at the same time!"
Here it is:
We are grateful for this coverage and hopeful that it will connect us with lots of people feeling inspired and ready to hit the roads with Volunteer Transportation!
Friday, March 20, 2015
Volunteer Driving-- The Best Way to Spend Your Retirement Years!
Our volunteer drivers represent a variety of backgrounds and have a diverse array of experiences. They come from all walks of life and span seven decades of the age spectrum. But there’s no denying that a large number of them are retired.
This became particularly clear at a recent volunteer driver gathering in Kirkland. As each volunteer introduced himself/herself, many stated something along the lines of the following: “I became a volunteer driver because I wanted something meaningful to do that would get me out of the house and keep me busy during retirement.” They also remarked, “I really enjoy it because the people are so grateful for my help and make me feel like I’m making a difference.”
These volunteers are on to something. As noted in this article in USA Today,
"Volunteering is not only good for others, it's good for you.
Research shows that people who volunteer report lower mortality rates, lower rates of depression, fewer physical limitations and lower levels of stress than those who don't volunteer, says Wendy Spencer, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency that administers Senior Corps, AmeriCorps and other programs. ‘The health benefits are huge.’"
The story also details the significant positive impact these retirees collectively make in our communities: "More than 20 million older adults — more than a quarter of those 55 and older — contributed on average more than 3 billion hours of service in their communities per year from 2011 to 2013. The value of this service is estimated at $75 billion."
We are grateful to have so many retirees as volunteer drivers for our program. It is an obvious win-win situation for all of us!
Of course, if you know a retiree looking for a fun and worthwhile way to make the best of their newfound freedom [or anyone else with weekday availability], send them our way! Have them contact Hilary at (206)748-7588 or hilaryc@seniorservices.org to start their journey as a volunteer driver. They can “pay it forward” while finding passion and purpose in their golden years.
Friday, March 6, 2015
Volunteer in the Limelight: Kathe Kern
One of our incredible volunteer drivers, Kathe Kern, is featured in Senior Services' latest e-newsletter. You can find it here, and we've also pasted it below for your enjoyment. We are so glad that Kathe (and all 5 of her boys) have been a part of the Volunteer Transportation program for so long!
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| Volunteer driver Kathe Kern and client Tamaya Nomi. |
Kathe Kern has been on the road for 25 years, and counting.
Senior Services volunteer driver Kathe Kern has always believed in giving her time to help others. With a degree in zoology and chemistry she began her first volunteer gig—reading and recording textbooks for blind students. But when her first son came along, Kathe found she could no longer make recordings. Babies are loud!
Fortunately, Kathe came across a Senior Services ad in the newspaper for volunteer drivers to take seniors to medical appointments. The gig seemed perfect as it allowed her to put her little boy in the backseat and take him along. Twenty-five years and four more boys later, Kathe is still driving. All five kids—one or two at a time—accompanied her as she went from her Mercer Island home all over the east side and Seattle with elders needing rides to the doctor.
Kathe says her boys learned valuable lessons from the experience. “I drove a woman who had cancer,” she remembers, “and she yelled at me. The boys’ eyes got as big as the moon, since they knew no one was allowed to talk to mom that way. Later I explained that the lady was very sick and maybe dying, and this is one of those times you have to be understanding.”
Senior Services’ Volunteer Transportation program provides door-to-door rides to medical appointments and back for seniors who are not able to drive themselves or manage public transportation. Last year, 800 caring and dedicated people—many of them seniors themselves—volunteered to help elders get to their doctors.
According to Kathe, the rewards of driving are great. “It has been as good for me as for the people I drove,” she says. “They’re good company and we tell each other our stories.” The clients have been appreciative and always loved seeing Kathe’s kids.
Though the boys are grown now, Kathe still drives several times a week. “It gets me out of the house!”
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About Me
- Volunteer Transportation
- “Behind the Wheel” offers stories, reflections, news and updates about Sound Generations’ (formerly Senior Services') Transportation Program. Throughout King County, our inspiring volunteers provide needed mobility to local seniors, supporting them in their efforts to remain independent, healthy, and happy. Please drop by to read more about the unique experiences of our volunteers, clients and staff!