Norm Handlelman, TRA volunteer driver since 2017, was awarded the Volunteer Spirit Award by Volunteer NY in 2022. He is not only an 8-year volunteer driver at TRA but takes the extra step of promoting TRA’s work and volunteer driver opportunity. He recently made a presentation to the members of the Community Unitarian Universalist Congregation at White Plains where he is a member. TRA was the recipient of CUUC’s Share the Plate in February.
“TRA is an organization whose primary mission is to provide older adults and adults with low vision with free rides to medical appointments.
TRA also provides information and resources, such as how to access a food pantry and how to apply for affordable housing.
During Covid, when some volunteer drivers did not drive, TRA (then known as WestFair Rides) got funds to hire paid drivers so that it could continue to satisfy all ride requests and provide free medical transportation for our riders.
Also during Covid, WestFair Rides delivered groceries and made what we called “reassurance” phone calls to ensure that our riders were doing ok and had everything they needed, including information about resources that provided food, water and medication deliveries in Westchester.
Now the growing demand for medical transportation in Westchester, and TRA’s excellent reputation for driver courtesy and punctuality, have led to our highest ridership ever, and TRA is working hard to respond, including getting funds for company cars and paid drivers.
In the years since the founding of WestFair Rides – motivated by the belief that the people most in need of medical attention in Westchester are the people who are least able to get to it – WestFair, now TRA, has helped to make our riders feel cared for and safe, and helped to provide anurturing and vibrant quality of life for seniors in Westchester.
On a personal note, I first discovered WestFair Rides at a CUUC coffee hour about 8 years ago, so thank you again CUUC! Community Unitarian Universalist Congregation at White Plains”
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