SAN DIEGO (Press Release)-–The On the Go program of Jewish Family Service held its Volunteer Appreciation Event on Friday, April 23 from 11:30am to 1:30pm.
On the Go is a program of the Jewish Senior Service Council, delivered by Jewish Family Service, that provides both group and individual transportation to older adults who no longer drive. The 50’s themed event was held at the San Diego Collection, a museum featuring the private collection of rare and exotic vehicles of Mr. Charles R. (Chuck) Swimmer.
One volunteer thanked On the Go for the event, saying “The food, the place, the gifts and all the thank you’s made for a very memorable event. JFS sure knows how to appreciate its volunteers.”
The event honored Wayne Bradbury with the Jack Stern Volunteer of the Year Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service. Retired Police Detective, Wayne first joined North County Inland (NCI) Rides & Smiles® as a volunteer driver in February 2008. Wayne now provides rides five days a week, several times a day, to older adults going to dialysis, employment, doctor appointments, volunteer opportunities, synagogue, shopping and more. From March 2008 through February 2010, Wayne provided more than 1,200 rides, totaling more than 1,500 volunteer hours and nearly 37,000 miles of driving.
Rides & Smiles®, one of three components of the On the Go program, is an award-winning program that uses volunteer drivers to provide individual transportation for older adults to necessary medical appointments, grocery shopping, and other life necessities in the North County Inland area, College Area, Allied Gardens, San Carlos, Grantville, University City, Clairemont, and La Jolla. Rides & Smiles® is currently holding a volunteer recruitment campaign with a goal of recruiting 60 new drivers by June 2010. All new volunteers will receive a coupon good for one full service car wash, valued at $13.49, at any Body Beautiful Car Wash & Auto Detailing Center. For more information on how to become a volunteer driver, visit www.jfssd.org/onthego or call (858) 637-3050.
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Preceding provided by Jewish Family Service