Around 2010, Alan Dindas “retired from a lot of things.” He taught elementary school and high school English in the South Bronx. He worked in human resources. He trained people in how to use word processing, which led to several years working in IT services at a legal firm. Eventually, Alan landed in the legal division of Pfizer, where he stayed for five years. He rounded out his varied career at Columbia University, running a summer program for minority college students interested in biomedical research.
He enjoyed his working life for the rich variety of experiences it provided. When he started looking for volunteer opportunities, he sought a similar vibe. At the time, TRA, then known as WestFair Rides, was a new nonprofit organization seeking volunteer drivers. Alan met one of the organization’s co-founders and signed up as one of its first drivers. He has been a loyal and dedicated volunteer ever since.
He signed up because he liked the flexibility if offered. Says Alan, “I like that I’m able to make my own schedule. And I love providing a useful service for others. When I’m driving, I know immediately that I’m making a difference in that person’s day.”
As one of TRA’s first volunteers, Alan quickly became one of its top drivers for the number of rides, miles driven, and hours spent behind the wheel. He has remained so over the past ten years. In the past year alone, Alan provided Westchester County residents more than 250 rides over a total of 263 donated hours. If you add them up, those trips total 3,403 miles traveled.
When asked why he remains so committed, Alan points to the convenience and no-cost service he provides. “There are some people for whom going from one town to another for a doctor’s appointment would cost $40 or $50 for a cab. Public transportation is hard for others. This really helps them. They would have few options without TRA.”
Volunteering has also given Alan a new focus following the death of his wife. She passed away a year ago after battling cancer for three years. During that time, Alan’s priority was caring for his wife and driving her to her treatment appointments. Despite that, he never stopped volunteering for TRA, fitting in hours whenever he could. Now, he often signs up to take riders to their cancer treatment appointments. Says Alan, “I go out of my way to sign up for these rides. Riders thank me for what I’m doing, but I also thank them for giving me purpose.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, when many volunteer drivers cut back or eliminated their volunteer hours Alan actually increased his. In addition to driving riders to medical appointments, he also volunteered to make grocery deliveries to older adults in need of help. His dedication is often noticed by the people he drives, who provide overwhelmingly positive reviews of his service. “I felt safe and cared for in Alan’s car,” notes one rider review. “Alan is a gentleman,” and ”Alan provides courteous and on-time service in a clean car,” say are other recent reviews.
For his part, Alan gives TRA his own glowing review. “The people I drive are very nice. My fellow volunteers are as well. And the staff is just terrific.”
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