Ralph Littlefield, executive director of the Community Action Program Belknap-Merrimack Counties Inc. announced the start-up of a new volunteer driver program in Belknap and Merrimack Counties.
“This new transportation program will complement the service provided by the existing 12 volunteer driver programs in the region, and will fill in the gaps for senior citizens over 59 and people with disabilities that do not live in the service area of these programs,” he said. “In addition to giving rides to particular destinations such as hospitals and shopping, volunteer drivers will provide feeder service for riders to connect with the seven senior buses operating in the region, Concord Area Transit and the Winnipesaukee Transit System. This program is a key link to increasing transportation availability and connectivity throughout the region.”
Hill, New Hampton and Laconia in Belknap County, and Allenstown, Concord, Pittsfield, Epsom and Chichester in Merrimack County will be the first towns where rides will be available to seniors and people with disabilities. To request a ride from these towns, potential riders should call 225-1989 or 528-2496. For TTY, they should call 1-800-735- 2964. Those towns were selected initially because people in those communities have volunteered to drive their neighbors. Volunteers in communities throughout both counties are being sought, as well as in the towns of Hillsboro and Deering. Anyone interested in volunteering should call Susan Jutras at 224-8043.”
The program's first ride is for a Concord gentleman, who is unable to drive at this time, to his place of employment. He will receive transportation two days a week to and from work at New Hampshire Technical Institute. John lives in the rural northwest section of Concord. Two Penacook drivers have volunteers to drive him to the Concord Area Transit's Penacook route. Kevin Chow is one of the volunteer drivers.
There are 11 other VDPs in the region. Among them are: American Cancer Society of New Hampshire, 471-4013; New Hampshire Association for the Blind, 800-464-3075; and RSVP The Friends Program Concord 228-1193. If you live in the service area of these programs, please call the numbers listed above if you need to book a ride.
