At Neighbors Driving Neighbors (NDN), volunteers used their own vehicles and gas to provide over 1,500 rides (amounting to over 950 volunteer hours) in 2023 to residents of Belgrade, Fayette, Mount Vernon, Readfield, Rome, and Vienna. These rides cover destinations within a 35-mile radius, including medical appointments, grocery shopping, work locations, and social outings.
To bolster the financial stability of community members, NDN provided over 200 rides to individuals who either temporarily needed transportation to work or had an ongoing need for such support. The organization is also strengthening outreach to medical centers through one-on-one contact at destinations historically most requested by riders. This collaborative effort aims to reach more clients in need of transportation and reduce the number of no-shows for medical appointments.
NDN volunteer drivers have the flexibility to choose when and how often they drive. This initiative truly embodies the spirit of “neighbors driving neighbors,” filling a void that would otherwise leave people with few alternatives for transportation. Volunteers enjoy the experience, as seen in the words of volunteer Katharina Burdet: “There is such gratitude for the rides, which leaves me feeling that I was able to help someone in a small way.”
Riders not only receive transportation but also find companionship and conversation. Rider Paul Yeaton sums it up by saying, “My experience has been with people who are all happy to carry on a conversation and are glad to be flexible with times. NDN has been a big help getting around, I’m grateful to the folks for volunteering to do the driving.”
NDN’s Executive Director, Joe Austin, actively participates in local and statewide events to learn about other transportation groups and community needs. He continuously seeks opportunities to collaborate with organizations needing volunteer transportation services and those offering similar programs.
