Veterans Helping Veterans and the National Service Blog

RSVP has received a $35,000 grant from the Madison Community Foundation to expand its Driver Services Program to reach out to veterans.  For the past 36 years, RSVP of Dane County has provided transportation throughout Dane County to adults age 60 and over who have no access to personal transportation.  RSVP drivers also deliver meals in communities outside of Madison, a service that enables older adults to stay in their homes as long as possible.

With this new grant, RSVP is partnering with the Middleton William “Sonny” Simon VFW Post 8216 to reach out to veterans’ groups throughout Dane County to recruit 150 new drivers to provide rides to medical appointments and other important trips for veterans and their families, as well as for older adults.  About 18 months ago, Bob Topel, who is quartermaster for VFW Post 8216, as well as an RSVP volunteer and former staff person, contacted RSVP with the idea for this program.  RSVP was fortunate to receive a grant from the Madison Community Foundation to make Veterans Helping Veterans a reality.  Veterans who are unable to drive will be able to receive a ride from a fellow veteran volunteer driver who understands some of the problems that younger veterans are facing.  

The potential impact of the program is summed up by Tom Linfield of the Madison Community Foundation:  “This project helps build community by engaging veterans both as volunteers and clientele, forging bonds and creating opportunities for both parties.  Needs are growing as more young veterans return home from current war zones.  The Madison Community Foundation is pleased to support his kind of innovative and meaningful work that will impact residents across Dane County.” 

More drivers are needed to meet the demand for service for veterans and older adults.   Drivers are reimbursed 50 cents per mile, and covered with personal accident, liability and excess automobile liability insurance. The program is extremely flexible and can work around individual schedules.

More information is also available on YouTube:

http://youtu.be/p2kxsd2bvXw

If you can help, please call Dave Tetzlaff at 238-7901, or email: dtetzlaff@rsvpdane.org.