Volunteer Airdrie seeking new recruits for Volunteer Driver Program

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Volunteer Airdrie is seeking assistance with transportation for seniors and disabled residents.

Over the past three months, there has been a large increase in requests for drivers to take these residents to medical appointments located in Calgary.

“We started getting phone calls right after the first lockdown in March,” said Dave Maffitt, Chair of the Board of Directors, Volunteer Airdrie Society.

“Social workers, nurses, and staff at Community Links were calling us with requests. I began driving a few of the patients to their medical treatments myself.”

In the fall of 2020, Maffitt reached out for help through the volunteer database on Better Impact.

“Within 20 minutes, I had five volunteers,” he Maffitt.

“With their help, I was able to start the Volunteer Driver Program. We continue to get referrals, mostly from Community Links, with people who need transportation into Calgary.”

Many of the requests are relatively short notice with less than 48 hours until the appointment, due to local doctors referring their patients to specialists.

So far, transportation has mostly been needed between Airdrie and the Peter Lougheed Centre or Tom Baker Cancer Centre.

The Airdrie residents in need of transportation often do not have family supports available during the weekdays. They might also be on a fixed income, which doesn’t allow for the estimated $150 round-trip cab fare.

“It’s really unfortunate,” said Maffitt.

“A lot of these people are very upset by the prospect of missing these appointments.”

To help those in need, Volunteer Airdrie is seeking 10 new recruits.

Volunteers must be over the age of 18 with a reliable vehicle, a clear driver’s abstract, proof of insurance, and a recent criminal background check.

“We’re just starting our screening process,” said Maffitt.

“Volunteers will need to be fairly flexible during the week, which I know doesn’t work for a lot of people.”

Maffitt added that the volunteers must be able to make the return trip back to Airdrie.

“These trips can become quite lengthy over three or four hours,” he said.

“Sometimes what seems like a brief medical appointment can turn into waiting for an hour and a half. So, there’s some uncertainty there. We just ask for our volunteers to run errands or shop nearby while they wait. We’re looking for people who really want to help out and lend their time.”

If you are interested or have any ideas regarding this program, please contact Volunteer Airdrie by e-mailing info@volunteerairdrie.ca or calling/texting 403-993-5034.

Airdrie residents are also encouraged to sign up for an online profile at Better Impact with their hours of availability and qualifications.

The volunteer database now hosts over 1,000 locals who give back to the community through a variety of programs and charities.

To sign up, visit www.volunteerairdrie.ca and click on the “Volunteer” button at the top-right of the page.