(WATERTOWN, N.Y.) — The Volunteer Transportation Center is putting out a call for drivers as the winter season approaches.

        “We have amazing volunteer drivers who help us every day in our mission to help people of the North Country get to and from their medical appointments,” said Executive Director Sam Purington. “We’re always looking for more, especially this time of year.”

        The Volunteer Transportation Center, established in 1991, drives thousands of miles each year assisting community members in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence Counties and beyond. Over the last three decades, the essential non-profit organization has provided rides to health care appointments, food sources and other critical needs destinations for residents. The service is offered free of charge and year-round.

        In Northern New York, it’s not uncommon for residents to head to warmer regions for the winter, said Mr. Purington, and that includes those who volunteer for the Volunteer Transportation Center. With many volunteer drivers being retired and having the flexibility of being able to head south this time of year, it creates a greater need for drivers.

        “We can’t blame them for wanting to be somewhere a little warmer during the colder months,” said Mr. Purington, with a laugh. “We just want to replenish the ranks  with more awesome people to handle the volume of trips that remains while they’re gone. The need for transportation is always there.”

        While volunteer drivers are not paid, they are reimbursed for the miles driven for client appointments. Drivers are reimbursed up to the IRS rate and reimbursement is not considered income, so therefore is not taxable.

        “Often times, people will learn about what our organization does and they want to help but they’re worried their reimbursement will affect their Social Security or Disability,” said Terra Thompson, Regional Program Director for the VTC. “When they learn that what we offer is not pay for working but rather reimbursement for what they do for us, it makes it possible for them to volunteer without that worry.”

        In addition to mileage reimbursement, volunteer drivers are able to dictate when they’re available. It could be a couple hours a week, a couple hours a few days a week or could be several hours every day.

        “Our volunteer drivers are exactly that — volunteers,” said Ms. Thompson. “We know not everyone has the same amount of time they can give and we certainly would never try to tell them when they’ll volunteer. It’s up to them. That’s why having an abundance of volunteers can help us get our clients to their appointments with a schedule that isn’t too much on any one volunteer.”

        Volunteer drivers utilize their own vehicles, which must be clean and in good-working condition. Vehicles are preferred to be 15 years old or newer and smoking is prohibited. Volunteers must furnish a copy of their driver’s license, a copy of their vehicle registration and proof of insurance for their vehicle. Volunteers must also complete an application and agree to a background check. Once complete, volunteers go through an orientation before driving.

        “We’d really love for someone hearing about this to reach out to us and have a conversation with us,” said Ms. Thompson. “That’s how a lot of our longest relationships with our volunteers started. Once they see the difference they can help us make, they’re hooked.”

        The VTC also always looks for support from the community in the form of donations to help with the cost of mileage reimbursement for volunteer drivers. In 2023, volunteer drivers provided 25,314 charitable trips over 855,471 miles in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence Counties. Of those miles, 329,819 helped those in Jefferson County, 101,766 in Lewis County, and 423,886 in St. Lawrence County. That equated to approximately $427,736 in mileage reimbursement. That’s why the community’s help is so important.

        For more information about becoming a volunteer driver, making a donation or becoming a client, contact the Volunteer Transportation Center office in Watertown at 315-788-0422 or in Canton at 315-714-2034. More information is also available by sending an email to info@volunteertransportation.org or visiting www.volunteertransportationcenter.org. The volunteer driver application may also be found at the direct link of https://bit.ly/VTC-Volunteer-Application.

ABOUT THE VOLUNTEER TRANSPORTATION CENTER

        The Volunteer Transportation Center, Inc. (VTC), established in 1991, drives thousands of miles each year assisting community members in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence Counties and beyond. Over the last 30 years, this essential non-profit organization has provided rides to health care appointments, food sources and other critical needs destinations for residents.

        In 2023, volunteer drivers provided 25,314 charitable trips over 855,471 miles in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence Counties. Of those miles, 329,819 helped those in Jefferson County, 101,766 in Lewis County, and 423,886 in St. Lawrence County. That equated to approximately $427,736 in mileage reimbursement for our volunteers. That’s why the community’s help is so important.

        The staff, boards of directors and volunteer drivers look forward to a time when transportation to community activities and services is accessible to all North Country residents regardless of economic or specialized needs. But for now the mission drives on — striving to provide transportation to health, wellness and critical needs destinations utilizing volunteers and mobility management for anyone who has barriers to transportation.

        For more information about how you can help the Volunteer Transportation Center, about its upcoming events, or to become a volunteer driver, contact the agency in Jefferson and Lewis Counties at 315-788-0422, in St. Lawrence County at 315-714-2034, or Western New York at 585-250-5030. Volunteers drive their own cars, set their own hours and receive mileage reimbursement but, more importantly, make a difference in the community. To learn more, visit www.volunteertransportationcenter.org.