Ponoka Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) is looking for some volunteer drivers to help roll a new program into town.
FCSS is partnering with “Drive Happiness,” an Edmonton-based volunteer-driver program that has been operating since 1998.
The program was developed as a way to help seniors get to their medical appointments with “affordable and accessible transport,” says Evelyn Mansell, the Drive Happiness Edmonton program manager.
Since the inception of the program, demand has grown for both transport outside of just medical appointments, and outside of Edmonton.
According to Mansell, Drive Happiness has already expanded to over 30 other rural and urban centres in Alberta from as far north as Fort McMurray all the way south to Lethbridge.
While medical trips are still an important part of what the program does, it is now also possible for those without transportation to book the service for shopping trips to the grocery store or recreational trips elsewhere.
Once the program comes online in Ponoka, people wishing to make use of the service will call a central number, during business hours, to book a ride. Once booked, the rides can be scheduled for pretty much any time, seven-days a week, provided a volunteer is available.
Volunteer drivers who register for the program will have access to a portal where all the trips are listed. The trips will include pickup and drop off locations. If a driver is available to take the trip, they would assign it to themselves, then show up as scheduled.
“The position is super flexible,” said Mansell.
Mansell also noted there is no minimum time commitment.
Clients making use of the service will pay a small amount, based on kilometres, to make use the service.
The drivers will be reimbursed a flat rate to cover fuel costs, however time spent on the trip will be strictly on a volunteer basis.
Trips could range from running someone across town for a grocery run to trips to Edmonton or Red Deer for specialist appointments.
Requirements for those considering becoming a volunteer driver include having a full Class-5 drivers licence, a clean driver’s abstract, a clean RCMP criminal record check, with a vulnerable sector check, and minimum Public Liability, Public Damage (PLPD) insurance on your vehicle.
For more information, check out DriveHappiness.ca.