Community members attend informative DAV transportation meeting
NORWICH – Twenty four people attended an informational meeting hosted by the Disabled American Veterans transportation service on Saturday at the Norwich Fire Station.
Due to a lack of volunteer drivers, the DAV transportation service had reduced its services to only three runs a week despite the need for runs every work day. But a recent upsurge in volunteer drivers has allowed the DAV transportation service to resume running five days a week, and an additional van may be added during the early part of the summer to do clinic runs to Binghamton and Bainbridge.
“You tell us when you want to work because it is a job let me tell you,” said DAV recruiter Bill Gleason during Saturday’s meeting. “I don’t want to scare anyone away, but I don’t want you to have culture shock either.”
Although the Chenango County runs are shorter than the DAV circuits in other areas, administrators recommend volunteers prepare to dedicate an entire day when they volunteer. Volunteers will receive training, including a couple of ride-alongs with other, more experienced drivers. A cell phone is also available in each van so that volunteers do not have to use their own when confirming appointments. The riders also have a list of rules, which they must adhere to, mainly agreeing not to distract drivers.
“It is a privilege and we have had to suspend a few patients,” said administrator Andrew Newcomb, though he added his belief that it will not be a problem in Chenango County.
“We are also concerned about letting veterans in the area know this service is available and that you don’t have to be disabled to be eligible,” said Gleason. “I encourage all veterans to get signed up even if they don’t need the service yet, so when they do they will be all set to go.”
Added Newcomb, “We have between 17 and 18 people signed now to volunteer, but I’d like to get a few more people to cover both vans in both directions as well as for when people go on vacation.”
Two more people signed up to drive after the meeting’s conclusion.
“I am a veteran myself,” said Edwin Holden. “It looked like an opportunity to do something to give back for all they have done and I have the time and the ability,” he explained.
“It was a great turnout,” added Gleason regarding the number of people who attended Saturday’s meeting.
Due to a lack of volunteer drivers, the DAV transportation service had reduced its services to only three runs a week despite the need for runs every work day. But a recent upsurge in volunteer drivers has allowed the DAV transportation service to resume running five days a week, and an additional van may be added during the early part of the summer to do clinic runs to Binghamton and Bainbridge.
“You tell us when you want to work because it is a job let me tell you,” said DAV recruiter Bill Gleason during Saturday’s meeting. “I don’t want to scare anyone away, but I don’t want you to have culture shock either.”
Although the Chenango County runs are shorter than the DAV circuits in other areas, administrators recommend volunteers prepare to dedicate an entire day when they volunteer. Volunteers will receive training, including a couple of ride-alongs with other, more experienced drivers. A cell phone is also available in each van so that volunteers do not have to use their own when confirming appointments. The riders also have a list of rules, which they must adhere to, mainly agreeing not to distract drivers.
“It is a privilege and we have had to suspend a few patients,” said administrator Andrew Newcomb, though he added his belief that it will not be a problem in Chenango County.
“We are also concerned about letting veterans in the area know this service is available and that you don’t have to be disabled to be eligible,” said Gleason. “I encourage all veterans to get signed up even if they don’t need the service yet, so when they do they will be all set to go.”
Added Newcomb, “We have between 17 and 18 people signed now to volunteer, but I’d like to get a few more people to cover both vans in both directions as well as for when people go on vacation.”
Two more people signed up to drive after the meeting’s conclusion.
“I am a veteran myself,” said Edwin Holden. “It looked like an opportunity to do something to give back for all they have done and I have the time and the ability,” he explained.
“It was a great turnout,” added Gleason regarding the number of people who attended Saturday’s meeting.
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