New Westminster’s Seniors Services Society is seeking volunteer drivers to help shuttle local seniors around town.
The non-profit agency has a roster of drivers on call, but the group needs about five more to take seniors on medical trips, deliver food for the Meals on Wheels program and take seniors out for other reasons, like visiting friends or the grave of a loved one who has passed away.
The volunteers are offered training so they can alert the society, should the seniors need referrals for other services.
“These volunteers end up being the eyes and ears in the community, so we make sure they have adequate training,” said Kara-Leigh Bloch, the society’s executive director.
New Westminster resident Ric Beau has been a volunteer driver with the agency for about four years, and his wife also helps out.
They both began delivering with Meals on Wheels once or twice a week, and then started doing more trips.
“I love it,” Beau said “When I first started doing it, I learned so much more about people in that last several years. People are so nice and friendly, and gracious and appreciative when you pull up.”
According to Beau, many seniors need the service because they are not well off financially or don’t have family to take them out. Some have walkers or are in wheelchairs, which makes public transit difficult to access.
Beau said he gets a lot of smiles and chuckles out of his volunteer driving work, and he would like to see more young people getting involved.
The minimum commitment is one two-hour shift per week, and the Seniors Services Society can offer honorariums to help cover gas costs.
Anyone interested in volunteering can contact the society’s volunteer coordinator Mhairi Campbell at 604-520-6621, or visit seniorsservicessociety.ca.
