175 Rides and Counting

Health Buddies volunteer wearing a headset provides friendly phone companionship and wellness support to older adults in Tampa Bay.

For many seniors, getting to a medical appointment can feel overwhelming without reliable support. Through the Companion Transportation Program, volunteers are providing far more than rides — they’re offering reassurance, companionship, and dignity during difficult moments. Whether comforting a passenger heading to cancer treatment or helping someone with vision loss safely navigate each step of the journey, these caring volunteers are making sure seniors never have to face health challenges alone.

Even a simple ride to the doctor can carry immense meaning. Across South Shore, our Companion Transportation Program has now given more than 175 rides to seniors who need a little help getting to medical appointments. But these rides are so much more than transportation. They are comfort, kindness, and connection wrapped up in the front seat of a car.

One passenger, preparing for a liver transplant, faces fear and uncertainty each week as she heads to appointments at Moffitt. Every time, she’s met with the same warm smile from her driver, Diane, a retired nurse who knows just when to talk, when to listen, and how to make a tough day a little lighter. The tears at the start of each ride are always replaced by a heartfelt “thank you” and a cheerful “see you next week.” That’s the difference a caring neighbor can make.

Then there’s Kate, a volunteer who drives a passenger with significant vision loss to quarterly appointments in Sarasota. Kate went the extra mile to learn the safest ways to guide someone without pulling or causing imbalance. Together, they now walk down sidewalks with confidence and grace. It’s not just about reaching the destination — it’s about preserving dignity along the way.

We are especially grateful for supporters like The Mabel and Ellsworth Simmons Foundation, whose commitment keeps this program rolling, quite literally. Because of them and folks like Diane and Kate lives are being touched in ways big and small.