American Red Cross of the St. Paul Area Provides Transportation Services

Being blind, using artificial legs, and going to dialysis three times a week doesn't keep Blanche Meek from being active – thanks to the American Red Cross of the St. Paul Area. For 16 years, Blanche has counted on volunteer drivers from the St. Paul, Minnesota chapter to get her to and from dialysis treatments as well as her volunteer work as a peer counselor for the blind.

Since 1977, the chapter has been working in partnership with 20 social service organizations to provide transportation services to those in need. Many of these partnering organizations are based in communities of Southeast Asian, Russian, or Hispanic immigrants. Others serve African American and Native American elders. Volunteers operate 11 sedans; six lift-equipped vans are driven by paid drivers. The chapter and its partners provided almost 120,000 rides over the course of one year.

A recent independent evaluation showed the St. Paul chapter's transportation program receiving high passenger satisfaction ratings and suggested that the program be used as a model for others. One rider commented, "Red Cross remembers your special needs. They call you by your first name. The drivers have a big smile. It gives me a nice feeling."

The program has enabled Blanche Meek and hundreds of other seniors to maintain their independence and continue living in their own homes. Blanche also enjoys the special care taken by "her" drivers who brighten her day. "The drivers are very polite, very understanding, very careful and very patient," she says. "I don't know what I'd do without my Red Cross drivers."