More than a Ride for Frankie

Frankie still remembers a time when he could drive himself wherever he needed to go.

He drove tractors and pickups, worked on farms, and traveled across the country for work before eventually settling in Lowry City in St. Clair County. Today, limited vision means those days are behind him. But the need to get to medical appointments, pick up necessities, and stay connected to the world around him remains.

For Frankie, transportation isn't simply about getting from one place to another. It's about having the support needed to navigate the challenges that can come with aging in a rural community.

For many people, getting to a doctor's appointment is routine. You get in the car, drive where you need to go, find the right building, attend your appointment, and head home.

For riders like Frankie, each step can present challenges.

More Than a Ride

While he remains mobile and active, driving is no longer an option. For people who can no longer drive, remaining at home often depends on a combination of family, neighbors, and community services. Transportation can be one of the most difficult pieces of that puzzle.

A doctor's appointment may mean traveling a 30, 50, or even 100 miles, and getting there safely often requires more support than simply finding a ride.

For riders like Frankie, transportation means more than providing a seat in a vehicle.

A large medical campus can be overwhelming, especially for someone who isn't feeling well or who is blind or has low vision. Finding the right entrance, navigating hallways, locating check-in desks, or even safely getting in and out of a vehicle can all be difficult without a little assistance. Family members may live hours away. Friends and neighbors often help when they can, but they aren't always available.

That is where New Growth Transit's volunteer driver model can make a difference.

The Value of a Volunteer Driver

Unlike traditional bus transportation, volunteer drivers can provide a more personal level of service. Drivers help riders safely enter and exit vehicles, provide support during longer trips, and help ensure riders arrive where they need to be. For many people, that little extra assistance can mean the difference between getting the health care they need and deciding the journey is simply too difficult to make.

Frankie says volunteer driver Helen has become someone he trusts.

"She's a good driver," he said. "She does a lot of things for me. And I appreciate what she does for me."

Their trips often include something many transportation systems simply cannot accommodate: flexibility.

When appointments require traveling long distances, riders can spend much of the day away from home. Reaching a specialist may mean leaving before sunrise and not returning home until late afternoon. Making a quick stop somewhere that’s along the way home for a sandwich or something to drink may seem small, but it can make a long day much easier.

Frankie especially appreciates those stops.

"I like Helen because she takes me to Sonic and I get my food and take it home," he explained.

Those small moments matter.

They remind us that transportation is about more than miles driven. It is about helping people maintain their quality of life.

Connection Beyond Transportation

When you talk with Frankie, one thing becomes clear: he values the people around him.

He speaks fondly of neighbors who check in on him and volunteer driver Helen, who helps him navigate trips that would otherwise be difficult. As he talks about the people who help him, his humor and gratitude come through clearly.

That sense of connection is important.

While transportation helps riders reach medical appointments and other destinations, it can also help reduce isolation and strengthen the relationships that allow people to remain connected to their communities.

For Frankie, those relationships are every bit as meaningful as the ride itself.

Helping Neighbors Stay Connected

Across rural Missouri, many adults face challenges similar to Frankie's. For some, remaining at home is not so much a choice as a necessity, shaped by the limited availability and affordability of other care options.

At the same time, age-related changes and health conditions can make transportation increasingly difficult. Some have vision loss. Others may have hearing difficulties, limited mobility, or health conditions that make traveling alone difficult. Most simply need just a little extra help and someone they can trust.

New Growth Transit's volunteer drivers provide that support every day.

They aren't there because they have to be. They're there because they want to help. That commitment often creates the kind of trust and connection that riders like Frankie value so deeply.

For many rural residents challenged like Frankie, remaining connected to health care, groceries, friends, and community doesn't require a major intervention.

Sometimes it simply requires a helping hand, a safe ride, and someone willing to stop for a sandwich on the way home.

Across the 11 rural counties we serve, there are many people like Frankie who simply need a little help getting where they need to go.

Volunteer drivers are at the heart of that effort. They provide more than transportation. They provide reassurance, connection, and support for neighbors who might otherwise struggle to access care and services.

If you'd like to make a difference in your community, consider becoming a New Growth Transit volunteer driver.

If volunteering isn't the right fit, donations help ensure rides remain available for those who need them most.

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