Besides health care, do you know what the greatest need is for the aging population in our area? I didn't,but yes, you probably guessed it: transportation! For food, for doctor’s appointments, for socialization, the need to get from one place to another safely is very difficult when you can no longer drive.
Many nonprofits and places of worship try to meet this need with volunteer programs, but these often are limited by the number of volunteers that they can reach.
One thing that can help to alleviate the problem is to make it easier for people to volunteer. Using a web-based software program that can be accessed from tablets, smartphones, and laptops would go a long way to reach all the tech-savvy (and even the not-so-savvy) volunteers. Registered volunteers should be able to sign in, look at the rides that are needed, and sign up! Yes, it can be that easy.
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The Giving Circle of HOPE researched to find the right product and find the funding for the Shepherd Center of Oakton-Vienna to get this technology. Now we are looking at expanding its use to others who provide volunteer rides for the aging by forming a collaborative effort among county, nonprofits, and funders to make it happen. This is an example of how to practice catalytic philanthropy, being involved in finding solutions to alleviate the problems that challenge us.
If you want to be a part of this exciting solution, email info@givingcircleofhope.org.
