Gale Reece, volunteer co-executive director of the nonprofit, was recently recognized for her efforts to empower older residents and visually impaired adults to stay connected with their communities. Reece said the need for drivers increases each year.
"We had to expand to that during COVID because of a lack of volunteers," Reece explained. "We're really trying to rebuild our volunteer base, because the need is growing every day."
Unlike other ride-share services, the group is a membership organization that matches people driving their own cars with members. Reece noted participants must provide information about their living situation and transportation needs, along with an emergency contact number.
Millions of seniors need regular transportation, with more than 11 million facing barriers to essential trips such as doctor visits, according to federal research.
Reece added that volunteers often say they find the experience enriching and make friends. Unlike other ride-share programs, people sit in the front, and cars are not marked.
"More people, baby boomers, are aging in place," Reece observed. "That is more isolating than living in a community, or sometimes small towns, it's easier to get around because you have family right there."
This year Reece received the Bluegrass Area Development District’s 2025 Aging Organizational Champion award, and AARP Kentucky selected her as its 2025 Andrus Award for Community Service recipient.
