Great Grant assists RSVP’s Provide-a-Ride Program
“Many seniors who don’t have rides to their medical appointments either don’t go to the doctor regularly, putting their health in jeopardy, or they spend their allocated medication and grocery dollars on taxi fare, putting both their health and nutrition at risk,” says Beth Patterson, executive director of RSVP of Central Oklahoma.
RSVP’s Provide-A-Ride program addresses this problem with volunteers who use their vehicles to drive low-to-moderate income senior citizens to medical appointments. The volunteers are reimbursed for mileage. Thanks to a recent Field of Interest grant from the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, the program is serving an additional 110 seniors in need of door-to-door transportation, increasing the average number of rides provided in a month from 450 to 732. As a result, 91 percent of participants surveyed go to medical appointments more regularly and 92 percent say they are able to live more independently.
“When I left the hospital they told me about the RSVP transportation program. I had no idea what a blessing it was going to be,” says Nina K., an 83-year-old RSVP client. “The volunteer drivers are all such wonderful people, and this service gives me so much independence.”
By creating a Field of Interest Fund, a donor can support a specific charitable interest such as assisting the elderly who rely upon the Provide-A-Ride program. If you are interested in learning more about Field of Interest Funds or other charitable fund options, contact Jennifer Stewart at j.stewart@occf.org or 405/606-2912.
