Randolph
The Sharon resident and her 13 cohorts help people without transportation get to critical services, including medical appointments and grocery stores. All told, the volunteers and special Stagecoach buses gave 45,559 rides last year, with the vast majority of those completed by the volunteer drivers.
That’s a 50 percent increase over 2015, and almost double the rides in 2014, said Laura Perez, Stagecoach’s community relations manager.
The increase is thanks in part to efforts to make the trips more efficient, such as bringing a group of people to the grocery store at once, or coordinating with medical providers so several people have similar appointment times.
But the pace isn’t sustainable for 14 people, said Perez, who figures they could use scores more volunteers. “We are not always able to successfully fulfill all our (requests).”
Stagecoach serves Orange and northern Windsor counties, and volunteer drivers are needed in each of its 29 towns. Based on census numbers, Perez estimates that 25 percent of people in that region lack access to their own transportation. And considering Vermont’s famously aging population, she expects the need to grow.
Dial-A-Ride includes programs that focus on specific populations, including elders, people with disabilities, low-income families and individuals, and people who are visually impaired.
Usually when people use the services, it’s a really difficult time in their lives, Perez said. The volunteer drivers can offer a lift in more ways than one.
“Bonnie always has family members calling to (say thank you) for her kindness,” Perez said. Those relationships with passengers and their families create “so much reassurance and peace for people.”
Gaudette, 70, started volunteering with the program about five years ago, after retiring from GW Plastics. Now, weekdays find her “constantly on the go.”
The trips vary — she’s been to West Lebanon and Burlington, Wells River, Springfield, Vt., and even Plattsburgh, N.Y. But there is a constant.
“I love my people. I love every one of them,” said Gaudette, a former machinist with a soft spot for seniors. “Them older people are dreamboats.”
Recently she gave a ride to a former GW colleague. “We had one heck of a chat, just about the shop we used to work in,” she said.
And certain experiences really touch her.
She used to bring a Bethel man home from dialysis, helping him up the ramp and carrying his bags when they got there. His little grandson caught on, and whenever he saw Gaudette he came running out to help his grandad. “It’s little things like that that get to your heart,” she said.
Although she doesn’t pry, sometimes people confide in her, Gaudette said, adding that she keeps their confidences. But it’s not all heavy going.
“Sometimes we get to laughing and singing,” she said. “I love country music. That’s all that’s playing in this car all the time is country music, and they just love it.”
People with good driving records and clean background checks who want to help their neighbors are encouraged to contact Stagecoach at 802-728-3773 or info@stagecoach-rides.org. Volunteers receive mileage reimbursement at the federal rate — currently about 54 cents a mile, reimbursement for vehicle wear and tear, and other perks. They adhere to the same federal guidelines that apply to bus drivers, regarding the number of hours they can drive in a given time period.
Aimee Caruso can be reached at acaruso@vnews.com or 603-727-3210.