Volunteers are the heart of the program, without them a number of individuals in our community would not be able to attend their medical appointments and treatments. For many friendships are formed and both the patient and driver benefit from the others company.
Wheels for Wellness drivers donate their time, vehicle and gas to the program. Each year as the need for transportation increases the generosity of the drivers does also increasing the number of hours or miles they are volunteering.
In 2020 the COVID19 pandemic caused many physicians offices to go to tele-health calls or cancelled appointments. But those patients who attend dialysis, chemotherapy or radiation don't have that option. Treatments can't wait.
Even with the decrease due to the pandemic, this amazing group of volunteers provided 1,380 transports driving 33,931.5 miles. These numbers represent about half of what is provided and driven in a typical year.
Volunteering
Make Your Mark
Thank you for your interest in becoming a Volunteer Driver!
If you are not familiar with Wheels for Wellness it is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that provides free transportation to medical appointments and treatment for those without other means of transportation. Many transports are to dialysis, chemotherapy and radiation in addition to doctors’ appointments.
The program is a managed by two part-time staff, an Executive Director and a Scheduler. The service is provided by a fleet of generous volunteers. Drivers are credentialed through Valley Health Volunteer Services after completion of a one-day orientation. The orientation includes a DMV background search and TB test.
WFW volunteers use their own vehicles to transport clients. Personal liability and secondary auto insurance coverage is provided by WFW but we also require that volunteers carry their own auto insurance.
There is no required driving. Volunteers may sign up for transports that work with their personal or work schedules. Should a conflict arise after a volunteer has committed to a transport, we ask that our office be alerted promptly so we may make alternate arrangements for the client. Transports are scheduled two weeks in advance.
WFW provides pertinent information for each transport. We ask that volunteers contact clients in advance to confirm transports and that volunteers be prompt for pick-up. We also ask that client information be kept confidential. All clients are ambulatory, so any assistance needed should be minimal. We ask that volunteers convey to WFW any concern regarding a client, particularly if a client’s mobility becomes impaired.
Inclement weather policy is on a case-by case basis, as transports vary. No volunteer however, will be asked to drive in conditions in which they are not comfortable.
Volunteers are asked to submit time and mileage monthly for all their transports.
A Valley Health credential affords discounts from selected area retailers, VH cafeterias and coffee shops, as well as free flu shots and educational opportunities. Annually, WFW volunteers will be recognized at WMC and WFW events.
Interested in joining this team? Click here for a Volunteer application.
Our 2020 Volunteer Heroes:
Stickley, Becky 6,746.5
Ahern, John 4,078.0
Marino, John 4,062.0
Gervasoni, Richard 2,639.0
Garcia, Mike 2,216.0
Lamanna, Ann 1,909.5
Ritenour, Cois 1,433.5
DeGroot, Kim 1,431.0
Buehler, Mary 1,128.5
Toth, Andy 1,062.0
Morith, Roko 1,053.0
Ritchie, Rex 980.0
Rogers, Jack 828.0
Fieo, Richard 759.0
Yereb, Kathy 583.0
Wooley, Dan 549.0
Johnson, Michael 466.5
Davison, Thomas 310.0
Rosenquist, Karen 220.0
Jones, Bob 212.0
Leeper, Mavourneen 177.0
Puglisi, Chuck 170.0
Grayson, Jo 145.0
Delia, Joe 130.0
Chrisman, Martha 126.0
Shipp, Karen 117.0
VanNess, Dan 115.0
Burner, Richard 90.0
Killingbeck, Vickie 90.0
Melkerson, Eric 40.0
Kempf, George 22.0
Selzer, Rosslyn 18.0
Neff, Sally 17.0
Bender, Deborah 8.0
33,931.5
Some volunteers go above and beyond the call to duty, these individuals are our
Lifetime Achievers
Those recognized below have driven 10,000 miles
or more for the program
* the numbers below indicate total mileage from January 2000 or first date of service through December 2020
Mary Buehler 47,478
John Zimet 42,400
Mike Morrison 39,461
Rex Ritchie 29,760
Richard Gervasoni 24,476
Jack Rogers 20,890
John Ahern 16,680
Becky Stickley 14,468
Ann Lamanna 14,058
John Marino 13,382
Mike Garcia 13,317
Steve Chance 12,792
Kim DeGroot 12,274
Eric Melkerson 11,800
Roko Morith 10,880
Bill Lawrence 10,502
