Neighbors Who Care providing transportation for Arizona seniors

Neighbors Who Care is a non-profit helping seniors to remain independent. The non-profit provides a service to seniors who are unable to drive or are homebound. Some services include transportation to medical appointments and trips to the grocery store.

Neighbors Who Care is looking for volunteers to donate their time a couple of hours a week to provide free rides to these seniors, as most of the volunteers of this organization tend to be older Arizonans who typically leave once spring or summer approaches.

Robin Wilson, Volunteer Manager of Neighbors Who Care, joined “Arizona Horizon” to talk about the non-profit.

Neighbors Who Care assists seniors non-medically within the Sun Lakes and South Chandler areas. The program has been around for about 30 years and started due to a need for services that are not always convenient for family members to assist with.

The organisation faces some challenges— many volunteers, often seasonal residents or “snowbirds”, leave during the summer, while seniors remain year-round.

To maintain support, the organisation actively recruits volunteers through networking events, community outreach and word-of-mouth.

Volunteers help with the transportation and doctor’s appointment, friendly visits, grocery shopping and meal deliveries. Beyond this the volunteers also fosters meaningful connections.

Volunteers and seniors develop deep bonds to combat the loneliness epidemic that affects the older adults.

Many research studies prove that face-to-face interactions boost mood and helps with the loneliness.

Robin Wilson has dedicated 12 years to volunteer management. Expressing her feeling Wilson said, “Serving others feeds your soul.”

Volunteering offers support to the seniors and also provides a rewarding experience for those who choose to give back.