By: Cheryl Horan, Vice President, Green and Yellow Cap Company
Technology brings wonderful advancements for so many. Unfortunately, it can hinder seniors’ abilities to get services they so desperately need. We saw this in the transportation industry. Technology was booming and advancing so rapidly in the early 2000s. With that, our transportation company started fielding many complaints from seniors about navigating these systems. They didn’t understand technology, advanced phone systems, cell phones, or the internet. This included adding new brokers to manage transportation for medical appointments and how to get these benefits. There were so many seniors who were “falling through the cracks”.
Our family-owned business decided to start a 501(C)3 non-profit to raise funds for senior transportation in our community. This process was not hard, and the IRS has agents who will guide you through every step of the process. With that, our non-profit was born in memory of our grandmother who would take taxis to medical appointments, go grocery shopping, and get to social activities.
The Edith Chaille Elder Transportation Fund would provide free transportation to seniors who could not get services otherwise. Our family donates money every year and prior to COVID, held fundraisers to raise additional funds. We joined forces with our local Elder Services and Council on Aging. They identify those seniors in need and field qualified transportation requests, and we complete and fill those ride requests through our taxi/transportation company.
Prior to COVID, our fundraising efforts included a yearly dinner with our seniors. Our local politicians would attend along with community leaders and senior services staff. Every year we would recognize a community member who went above and beyond to help seniors in our community with the Edith Chaille Elder Transportation Award. Post-COVID, we have applied for and have received grants to continue this senior program.
These efforts were a huge success in our city. It helped build deeper relationships with our city departments, local officials, and politicians, as well as putting a face to who we were in our community. Many saw our commitment and the passion that we had for servicing this vulnerable population. Today our city officials recognize the need to continue to help fund this program. We have also branched out to include and partner with other non-profits, and our local regional hospital system and include, not just seniors, but clients with intellectual disabilities.
In 2007, we could not have imagined the positive impact that this program could have on our community and our business. We have provided over ten thousand trips, free of charge, to seniors in our community. We are extremely grateful to everyone in our community who has supported this cause and helped make this program a success. We receive many cards, letters, and calls from seniors who are so grateful to have this program to help keep them healthy and independent.
Comments