The On the Go transportation program for older San Diego adults celebrated its 250,000th ride on Wednesday when a volunteer dropped off a woman at a synagogue in Del Cerro.
On the Go, a program of Jewish Family Service of San Diego, operates a fleet of seven buses and works with 200 volunteer drivers to get seniors of all denominations to medical appointments, errands, religious services and community programs in an area spanning 23 zip codes.
Volunteer Howard Kugler, who has driven for the program since 2010, took Anna Ritter from her home in San Carlos to Temple Emanu-El, where Jewish Family Service operates its College Avenue Center for older adults. When they arrived, a crowd waved placards celebrating the milestone.
Marilyn Greenblatt, manager of the Rides & Smiles volunteer part of the program, said many older San Diegans depend on the transportation services to continue to live independent lives.
“It just keeps people connected to their community,” she said. “They say they would not be able to live independent lives if it were not for the transportation.”
Rides and Smiles is seeking more volunteers, with a training session and lunch scheduled for Jan. 28. More information is available online at jfssd.org/driver.
Founded in 1918, Jewish Family Service provides help and support to families and individuals of all religious backgrounds throughout San Diego County and the Coachella Valley.
