NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — More volunteers are desperately needed to drive home-bound seniors around Nashville.
Senior Ride Nashville provides rides to older adults in West Nashville, Madison, Donelson, Hermitage, Old Hickory, and East Nashville. They hope to expand to all of Davidson County. We did a story with the nonprofit in 2018 where rider 'Molly' said the program was life-changing.
- With 10,000 people turning 65 every day in the United States, Senior Ride Nashville is doing everything they can to increase volunteer capacity to keep up with demand
- Currently, Senior Ride Nashville has 15-20 seniors on the wait list and more are enrolling every month
- Elderly folks generally need rides to medical appointments and grocery stores
- The program helps reduce social isolation
Matthew Shaw, a volunteer, said building relationships with riders is rewarding.
"When you lose the ability to drive, you lose the connection with the community," Shaw said, "We have one particular rider who always wants to take me out to lunch after we go get her hair done."
Carrie Brumfield, the nonprofit's executive director, said they ask volunteers to drive at least twice a month.
"We currently have about 200 riders that can give us a call and request a ride, our rides are pre-planned so it’s not an on demand service, so that we can coordinate with our volunteer drivers to get those scheduled," Brumfield said.
Their biggest area of need right now is in the Madison, Hermitage, and Donelson areas. There's an information session on November 6th at the Green Hills Public Library from 11a.m. to 12p.m.
Seniors in the program pay a $25 membership fee, and each round trip ride is $6. Their phone number is 615-610-4040. You can learn more information here.
