Community Thread has been providing volunteer driver rides for residents living in parts of Washington County for over 50 years. The non-profit’s ‘Thrive’ program recently partnered with the Washington County Transit Coordination Assistance Project (TCAP) GoWashington to provide rides for older adults without other transportation options who live beyond the program’s original boundaries. “It has elevated the ability to reach those who need services the most” said Rachel Presslein, Thrive Program Director. “Knowing we are partners with the County helps us really reach out to those in need who may not know about us.”
Barbara Bursack, TCAP Mobility Manager for Washington County Community Services, noted that County staff realized there was a need to better connect residents to rides, which led to them reaching out to Community Thread in 2022. “It’s extending the ability for independent living, especially for older adults in rural areas and suburban communities outside the metro.”
In the two years since Colin Partridge became a volunteer driver for Community Thread’s Thrive program, he has completed more than 80 roundtrip rides covering nearly 3,500 miles and clocking 244 volunteer hours. He travels primarily in Washington County, but also takes passengers to Minneapolis, St. Paul, and other metro locations, typically for medical appointments. He receives requests from a Thrive coordinator asking about his availability, mostly two to three weeks in advance of the appointment with an occasional last-minute request. If he accepts the assignment, Thrive sends the details. Below, Partridge answers some questions about his volunteer driver experience.
Q: How did you learn about volunteer driving opportunities?
A: In the summer of 2021, I went online looking for opportunities to volunteer in the Stillwater area and came across the Community Thread/Thrive website. Since they were looking for volunteer drivers, and I enjoyed driving, I thought it would be a natural fit.
Q: Why did you decide to become a volunteer driver?
A: A couple of reasons. I was furloughed due to the pandemic in late 2020 and had decided to take an early retirement from my job at Carlson Companies. I wanted to remain productive and sought out volunteer opportunities. I also had some surgery earlier in 2021 and was impressed by the dedication of volunteers at the hospital where I was treated. I felt it was time to pay it forward.
Q: What do you like about volunteer driving?
A: Meeting new people and hearing about their lives is always of interest to me. Everyone has a story to tell and depending on the length of the trip I have heard some very interesting stories over the past two years! I also know that I might be the only person that the passenger has seen all day, so I like to make the interaction as meaningful as possible.
Q: What has been your most memorable experience as a volunteer driver?
A: On multiple occasions, I have taken a lady to a pain clinic in Edina. Despite her very serious and chronic condition, she is always remarkably upbeat, curious and friendly. Over the course of several trips, I have seen a marked improvement in her physical condition, which gives me a sense of comfort that I was able to assist her in her rehabilitation and share some laughs along the way.
Q: Why do you continue to volunteer?
A: We have an aging population in this country, and we will need more and more resources to assist people in living independent lives. In addition, I think that I can take some of the weight off social and medical services, by both volunteering my time, and also keeping my own mind sharp and occupied.
Q: What advice do you have for volunteer driver programs?
A: I think that a well-organized volunteer driving program like Thrive provides a net benefit to any community, because it allows people in that community to engage with those who need help the most. Again, it takes the burden from government and social services and allows people who know the area well to contribute.
I believe that volunteer organizations like Thrive/Community Thread in Washington County are really invaluable resources to the lives of their residents. They fill a gap in the community where paid resources or transportation might be lacking or expensive.
Q: What advice do you have to prospective volunteers?
A: I think you have to treat volunteer opportunities with the same sense of purpose as any job you might have. Find something you really enjoy doing, leverage all of the skills that you have learned throughout the years and know that you are making a significant contribution in someone’s life.
Interested in becoming a volunteer driver for Community Thread’s Thrive program? Visit the Community Thread website (LINK TO: https://communitythreadmn.org/volunteer/volunteer-at-community-thread/) or call 651-439-7434.
