The Driver – Volunteer Newsletter June 2021

CELEBRATE THE GIFT OF INDEPENDENCE WITH A SNOW CONE

Neighbor Ride and the Office on Aging and Independence are celebrating the Gift of Independence on July 15th at the Ellicott City 50+ Center.

The Chill Out Snow Cone Truck will be at the Ellicott City 50+ Center from

2-3:30 pm to thank Neighbor Ride volunteers for the Gift of Independence you provide throughout the year. Bring a chair and feel free to visit with the staff and other volunteers.

Neighbor Ride will also be launching our new car donation program, which allows individuals to transform old cars (the ultimate sign of independence) into tax-deductible donations to Neighbor Ride – giving the gift of independence to Howard County seniors.

The Office on Aging and Independence will be on hand to promote the reopening of its 50+ Centers to full service and to celebrate our 15 month Grab and Go food delivery program partnership.

COVID MASK UPDATE

Please be reminded that all volunteer drivers and clients are still required to wear a mask during the duration of the ride. Riding in the back seat and wiping down door handles, etc. after the ride is subject to the driver’s preference. We continue to monitor CDC and state guidelines regarding transportation and mask usage.

CHANGES AT THE FOOD BANK

The Howard County Food Bank is now open for clients to shop for themselves by appointment. Rides for this purpose will be entered into the portal as roundtrips, like most Neighbor Ride rides, and will involve the volunteer transporting the client to the food bank and then returning to take them and their groceries home.

However, Food Bank delivery rides will continue on Fridays and they are entered as one way rides from the Food Bank to the client’s home. Please read the ride notes carefully.

WELCOME TO OUR NEW BOARD MEMBERS

Join us in welcoming Diana Callender and Tae Young to Neighbor Ride’s Board of Directors. Diana recently retired from her position as Associate Dean at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine and, in addition to her many other volunteer activities, is also an active Neighbor Ride driver! Tae is the Project Manager of the Bureau of Facilities at the Howard County Department of Public Works where he provides the design, construction, and building management for all Howard County government buildings. We are so excited to add this duo of talented professionals to our Board and look forward to working together to advance and expand our mission!

HELP WANTED – TIME TO TALK NEIGHBOR RIDE

SENIOR DAY AT THE FAIR is back !!!!!! Tuesday, August 10th

We are in need of volunteers willing to “talk Neighbor Ride” at our table at the Howard County Fair. If you are interested in a 2 hour shift between 9-4, to help raise awareness of Neighbor Ride for prospective volunteers and clients, we would love to have you.

HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES FAIR

Leadership Howard County will hold a Health and Human Services Fair to introduce the Leadership U youth summer program participants to non-profits. If you would like to join our Director, Bruce, and provide a driver perspective please let us know. Wednesday, July 28th from 1:00-2:30 pm at the Meeting House 5885 Robert Oliver Place Columbia,

To help at either of these events, please email us at volunteer@neighborride.org.

NPR REPORT ON VOLUNTEERING DURING THE PANDEMIC

Below is a link for an interesting segment from NPR.

The London School of Economics did a study on the economic benefits of volunteering in England during the pandemic. The study found the benefit to participants in the National Health Service’s Volunteer Responders Program was about 140 times the cost of actually running it. With 250,000 volunteers, the LSE found the net benefit equates to a $627 million boost to the nation’s economy.

Please read or listen to the details here: https://www.marketplace.org/2021/06/04/adding-up-the-economic-benefits-of-volunteering-during-a-pandemic/