PatchWorks—a new neighborhood platform that can help you raise money and recruit volunteers—is helping neighbors to share and celebrate local projects and causes with the community.
Here's a look at one of Chappaqua's current PatchWorks projects, RideConnect.
Q: Your name?
A: Karen Ganis
Q: Tell us a bit about your project.
A: RideConnect, a program of Family Services of Westchester, is an information, referral and volunteer driver transportation program in Westchester County. Our program provides a critical service in the community—we enable older adults and those with disabilities to remain active and independent.
However, we currently receive more calls for rides than we can serve at this point, which is why it is critical for us to find more volunteer drivers. RideConnect is seeking to increase its volunteer base by 25 new volunteer drivers in the short term. With the funds raised through this project, RideConnect will be able to grow the program and provide more rides to those in need.
Q: Why is this project important to the community?
A: This project is so important because there are many individuals in our community who do not have access to transportation, either because they no longer are able to drive or they do not have access to public transportation (a big problem in Northern Westchester County). Volunteer drivers help older adults and those with disabilities remain active within the community and allows them to have access to doctors, grocery stores, shopping or other necessary appointments.
The volunteer driver also receives a tremendous benefit by offering their time to those in need—they build a sense of connection to the client that they drive, other volunteers and the community at large.
Q: What inspires you to volunteer or be active in your community?
A: At RideConnect, we are very motivated to help older adults and those with disabilities in our community because the ride for these individuals helps them remain active and less isolated within their community. We hear from our clients how important it was to get to that medical appointment or how enjoyable it was to have an extraordinary volunteer driver take them for much needed shopping. We are inspired by our volunteer drivers who give their time to provide rides to those in need.
We are looking to expand this amazing group of volunteer drivers so every individual in our community who needs a ride, gets a ride.
Q: What do you love about your community?
A: What we love about this community is that so many older adults and those with disabilities want to remain (and remain) active within this community. We also love that there are so many people who are eager to give back to the community they love and we hope that they will join us in giving the gift of mobility, one ride at a time.
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