March 19, 2024
Annapolis, US 36 F

Partners in Care seeking volunteer drivers

partnersincare5Partners In Care Maryland, a local 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with offices on Ritchie Highway in Pasadena, is currently searching for volunteer drivers to keep up with an increasing demand of ride requests among its growing membership of older adults who live in Anne Arundel County.

Founded in 1993, PIC’s mission is to empower older adults to remain independent in their homes and active in the community. Through its time-exchange program, the organization recognizes the unique talents of its members, enabling them to contribute to the community in meaningful ways, and especially to the well-being of each other.

For more than 20 years, PIC has helped older adults by offering (1) no cost, arm-in-arm transportation from volunteer drivers who use their own vehicles; (2) handyman services for safety and maintenance; and (3) member support for keeping up with paperwork, managing applications for food and/or fuel assistance, and other important advocacy needs. In recent years, the organization added two low cost, wheelchair accessible mobility buses to assist seniors who have special transportation needs.

The Volunteer Driver program continues to be PIC’s signature program and provides older adults, age 50 and above, with no cost, arm-in-arm transportation to area hospitals, medical appointments, dental appointments, pharmacies, supermarkets, banks, churches, hair salons, and other popular destinations. It also provides area seniors with the ability to participate in social activities throughout the community.

PIC provides transportation service to older adults who have difficulty accessing public transportation, or have limited financial resources to access mobility options. Oftentimes this is done outside of normal social service agency business and service hours.

The organization also (1) assists with transportation needs for non-emergency medical appointments that are scheduled before and after hours of local para transit; (2) serves areas where limited or no transportation services are provided or accessible; and (3) offers specialized transportation services for individuals and groups to religious services, community activities, and shopping centers.

Anyone interested in becoming a PIC Volunteer Driver is required to attend a brief orientation and training session where the goals and mission of the program are explained, and ethics and safety issues regarding older adults are discussed. Prospective volunteer drivers are informed of the insurance (CIMA) that PIC maintains on its volunteer drivers and their vehicles. Copies of their driver’s license and auto insurance policy are also kept on file.

PIC also has a partnership arrangement with AARP which conducts a Driver Safety Program for older drivers. These sessions are held quarterly at PIC’s Anne Arundel County office.

For more information on becoming a PIC Volunteer Driver, or to make a financial contribution to Partners In Care Maryland, please call 410-544-4800; or visit PIC’s website at www.partnersincare.org

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