“This gives me a sense of purpose … I look forward to the stories
that my riders share with me.”
~ NEET volunteer driver Jerry Steimel

 

For Methuen seniors in need of safe, reliable transportation to medical appointments, help is available through a partnership between the Methuen Senior Activity Center and Northern Essex Elder Transport (NEET).

The program connects older adults with volunteer drivers who provide transportation to medical and dental appointments throughout the region. Cheryl McQuillan, NEET outreach director for the past 14 years, is based at the Methuen Senior Center and coordinates rides for local seniors.

“We have a devoted and wonderful group of drivers, but we are always looking to expand our driver base,” McQuillan said. “If you are interested in supporting seniors, this is a great volunteer opportunity. You don’t have to live in Methuen to drive for Methuen. We have volunteers from Haverhill, Newburyport and surrounding communities.”

NEET is a nonprofit volunteer driver program serving older adults in 13 Merrimack Valley communities. Drivers provide curb-to-curb, non-lift transportation for seniors age 60 and older who are able to independently get in and out of a vehicle.

“We don’t guarantee a ride, but about 90 percent of the time we are able to match a driver with a rider,” McQuillan said.
Methuen Senior Center Director Sue Riccio said the program fills a critical need for many seniors.

“Many seniors have no other transportation to medical appointments and rely on this service wholeheartedly,” Riccio said. “I regularly receive heartfelt calls, cards and letters from people expressing their gratitude. For some seniors, this service is truly lifesaving.”

Riccio added that the program also helps combat isolation among older adults.

“It’s gratifying to see the connections that form between drivers and riders,” she said.

Dori Sawyer is the regional administrator for NEET, a position she considers very rewarding. She loves sharing stories of the impact that this service has on many in our community.

“Some drivers and riders become lifelong friends. The connection is a much bigger connection than only offering a ride. Many of our riders don’t have family left, or they don’t have family available to give the time to drive because they are working themselves,” she said. “This service also allows caregivers’ assistance, taking the transportation piece of caregiving off their plate.

“I think about the holistic perspective and the well-being of a person, providing that all-important connection to humans and nurturing their social side. Our volunteers are superheroes. They don a cape to give people equitable access to healthcare,” Sawyer continued. “They draw people together, rather than divide them. We provide a human connection, so missing in our world right now. And that’s on both the driver and rider side.”

NEET provides approximately 400 rides per month across the region, with slightly fewer rides during winter months.
Volunteer driver Jerry Steimel has been with the program for nearly four years and estimates he has provided more than 700 rides.

“I’m retired. I have the time. And this gives me a sense of purpose,” Steimel said. “I’m the kind of person that likes to be busy. It feels really nice that I can still help people. … I look forward to giving rides and I look forward to the stories that my riders share with me.”

Steimel said many riders have shared remarkable life experiences with him, including one rider’s memories of Pearl Harbor and surviving World War II in Europe. One gentleman shared that as a 6-year-old, he was close to the attack on Pearl Harbor. He has vivid memories of his uncle running up to him and getting him home and to shelter.

“Being a part of this program is incredibly rewarding,” Steimel said

Methuen’s Pauline Veilleux shares her experience using the NEET program: “I have used the services of NEET for quite some time. The volunteers are both compassionate and kind and are always willing to share a story or two enroute to my appointment. My message to seniors is: Don’t hesitate, join in! Although I have the support of family and friends to help me get to my appointments, NEET has been very supportive.”

Another grateful participant is Frieda Vitale of Methuen. She has received rides from the NEET program for the past 14 years, following the death of her husband.

“My husband used to take me everywhere. … I did learn to drive, but I’m very uneasy driving. I reached out to the Senior Center and they hooked me up with rides. I am so appreciative to the drivers who have helped me. I sent a letter to the Center and shared my thanks to Jerry, who has been a driver for me for quite a while, as well as drivers Heidi and Mary. I’m very comfortable with whoever drives me. I’m very sociable and the drivers are very sociable. It becomes a friendship with the driver. I appreciate Cheryl, who works with me to request drives to my appointments,” she said.