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!

After the dropping-off or parking processes described in the last two reflections, Mike (driver) and Mary (client) demonstrated the typical waiting room routine.

Mike and Mary got off the elevator and headed for check-in.  They were impressively early.

Mary is 86-years-old and has regularly received rides from the Volunteer Transportation program for 11 years.  “I just don’t know what I’d do without it!” she told me.

Like many volunteer drivers often do, Mike had brought a book to enjoy while waiting during Mary’s appointment.  They modeled reading as a favorite waiting room pastime.  I was grateful to spend time (albeit brief) with Mike and Mary as they brought yet another part of the ride process to life for me!  Like all the other drivers and clients that I photographed, they reminded me of the many facets of Volunteer Transportation.

As a continuation of last week’s post,  today’s photo journal focuses on Gloria (driver) and Phyllis (client)-- another duo that I captured on film as they reached their medical clinic destination. 

The car was parked, and Phyllis looked surprisingly happy to have arrived for a doctor’s appointment.

The parking garage wasn’t exactly the most glamorous location for a photo shoot, but Gloria and Phyllis brightened the room with their smiles.

We often say that our volunteer drivers open doors—both figuratively and literally—for our clients.  Gloria clearly embodied this spirit of the Volunteer Transportation program.

With that, I wished Gloria and Phyllis well as they continued on their journey!


Although our volunteer drivers make it seem like a seamless and effortless process, a ride with the Volunteer Transportation program entails multiple steps—starting when the volunteer driver first arrives for the pick-up and ending when he/she ensures that the client is home safe and sound again.  I recently had the opportunity to observe one stage of the process: the appointment arrival.   I really enjoyed meeting-up with several volunteer driver/client pairs as they were in their “natural habitat” (medical facilities).  This week begins my three-part photo series documenting these brief experiences

I caught Reta (volunteer) and Fern (client) just as they were pulling-up for Fern’s appointment on Capitol Hill.

Reta skillfully let Fern off at the front of the building, ensuring that she could easily enter without having to walk a lengthy distance.

Fern was soon ready to go!  Reta and Fern reported that they have gotten to know each other well because they’ve shared many rides together.

This was just one quick moment of time in a day in the life of a volunteer driver (stay tuned for more in the upcoming weeks!).  It was fun to see such a kind and effective driver in action.


Tom Melchior: 12/31/1935 to 1/28/2014

On Wednesday of this week, we received the sad news that Tom Mechior had passed away.   Tom had served as a faithful and admirable volunteer driver of the Hyde Shuttles in Des Moines for over three years, although he had very recently given up this role as he prepared for a pending move to the Philippines to live in the new home that he and his wife, Mercy, had built.  It just wasn’t meant to be.

Brady Wright, Community Outreach Specialist for the Hyde Shuttles in Des Moines, wrote the following in an email about Tom, “Everyone who knew Tom is aware of how much he cared about our riders and everyone involved in the program, as well as how he was a genuinely warm human being and husband… Tom was a terrific man and a good friend.  He will be missed.” 

Sue Padden, Senior Services Manager for the City of Des Moines, commented on Tom’s wonderful singing voice, excellent dancing skills, gentleness, and huge heart.  She also fondly recalled his well-earned nickname of “Tex.”  She remarked, “‘Tex’ and I used to talk a lot about Texas-- its food and music.  I can see him now, under the ‘big sky,’ singing a Johnny Cash song with that beautiful smile on his face…..and that darn University of Texas Longhorn hat on his head!”

We are grateful for Tom/Tex’s years of compassionate service with the Hyde Shuttles, and we feel very fortunate that he was a part of our program.  He and his family are certainly on our minds and in our hearts.