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TRANSACTIONS NEWSLETTER ONLINE

November/December 2006

Doris W. Kahn Accessible Transportation Award:
Heart of the Valley, Services for Seniors, Inc.

Moeller
Joan Moeller (left) is one of 120 Heart of the Valley volunteers who use their own cars to give rides to seniors. With her is client Georgie Dugre. (Photo: Noah Berger)

With the help of Heart of the Valley, Services for Seniors, Inc., this year’s winner of the Doris Kahn Award for Accessible Transportation, hundreds of seniors in western Santa Clara County are able to live independent lives in their homes as long as possible. Celebrating its 19th year of service, Heart of the Valley (HOV) relies on over 120 volunteers who provide escorted transportation and other services to more than 700 seniors.

With transportation as the greatest need, HOV volunteers drive seniors to and from medical, business and other appointments, shopping trips, errands, and social events. But their services don’t stop there. HOV volunteers also write down instructions from doctors, push grocery carts, carry and load packages, talk with salespeople, and make sure their clients get to scheduled appointments on time and locate needed services. According to one HOV client, Rose Cornbleet, “The service has helped me tremendously. You’re right with somebody, and they stay with you the whole time. I feel very fortunate to have Heart of the Valley.”

In 2005, HOV volunteers logged a total of 33,000 miles for their clients, donating not only their time, but also their cars and gas. While HOV accepts donations, it does not charge for its services. Stan Zecha, a retired Lockheed Martin budget analyst and systems analyst, has been an HOV volunteer for eight years. “I like to help people, and Heart of the Valley is a great organization,” he said. “It’s very rewarding.”

Heart of the Valley’s philosophy is to promote self-reliance in seniors and to foster a positive, proactive attitude — while warding off social isolation and postponing the day when seniors have to move to an assisted living facility. HOV volunteers offer new connections with the community that bring spirit and meaning to everyday life, and a sense of well-being that benefits mental and physical health. “With seniors, the number one concern is health, and the number two concern is transportation,” said Heart of the Valley Executive Director Glenda Cresap. “The escort transportation we provide is crucial to the seniors in our program.”
— Marjorie Blackwell


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