A Friendly Ride.
A Greater Sense of Independence.
Sterling Rides connects older adults who need reliable transportation with caring volunteers who can help them get where they need to go—from a doctor’s appointment or the grocery store to the hairdresser and other everyday destinations.
Every Sterling Rides driver is a volunteer. By sharing a little time and a ride, volunteers help older adults remain active, connected, and independent.
Everyday transportation with a personal touch
Giving up driving - or driving less ofter - should not mean giving up independence. Sterling Rides helps make essential errand and appointments more accessible by matching an older adult with a volunteer driver based on need, location, and volunteer availability.
Rides may include trips to:
Doctor and dental appointments
The grocery store or pharmacy
The hairdresser or barber
Banks, post offices, and other everyday errands
Other local destinations that help an older adult stay engaged and independent
Sterling Rides is more than transportation. A familiar, friendly volunteer can also provide meaningful conversation and a reassuring connection to the community.
Who Can Use Sterling Rides?
Sterling Rides is designed for older adults who need help with transportation and are able to get into and our of a standard passenger vehicle independently or with minimal assistance.
Riders MUST be ambulatory.
Canes and walkers are welcome, provided they can be safely stored in the volunteer’s vehicle.
Riders CANNOT require an oxygen tank, wheelchair transportation, or significant hands-on assistance getting into or out of a vehicle.
******IMPORTANT: Sterling Rides is NOT medical transportation*******
Sterling Rides provides rides to appointments and everyday destinations, but is not a medical transportation service. Volunteer drivers do not provide medical care, medical monitoring, wheelchair transport, or major physical assistance. The program is also not intended for emergencies. IN AN EMERGENCY, CALL 911.
How Sterling Rides Works
Contact SCI at 912-236-0363. Tell us about the rider and the type of transportation needed.
We review the request. SCI confirms that Sterling Rides is an appropriate fit and discusses program details and availability.
We make a match. Once qualified, SCI connects the older adult with a volunteer driver whose location and availability fit the need. Please note: ride requests must be made 72 hours in advance. Sterling Rides is not a ride-share service such as Uber or Lyft.
The volunteer provides the ride. The driver uses their own vehicle and receives a small stipend to help offset the cost of gas.
Because every driver is a volunteer, ride availability depends on volunteer participation and scheduling.
Not every ride is guaranteed.
BECOME A STERLING RIDES VOLUNTEER DRIVER
Give a Ride. Give Independence.
A routine trip can make an extraordinary difference. By driving an older adult to an appointment, the grocery store, or another essential destination, you help a neighbor remain independent and connected to the community.
Sterling Rides has no paid drivers. The program depends entirely on volunteers who are willing to share their time and use their own vehicles. SCI provides a small stipend to help cover the cost of gas.
As a volunteer driver, you can:
Make a direct, one-to-one difference in an older adult’s life
Build a friendly connection with someone in your community
Volunteer in a practical, meaningful way
Coordinate rides that work with your availability
Receive a small gas stipend for the rides you provide
You do not need medical training. Sterling Rides serves ambulatory older adults who can enter and exit a vehicle independently or with minimal assistance.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Are Sterling Rides Drivers Paid?
1
No. All Sterling Rides drivers are volunteers. SCI provides a small stipend to help offset the cost of gas.
Is Sterling Rides a medical transportation service?
2
No. Volunteers may drive riders to medical appointments, but they do not provide medical care, medical monitoring, wheelchair transportation, or significant physical assistance.
Yes. Canes and walkers are welcome as long as the rider can get into and out of the vehicle independently or with minimal assistance and the mobility aid can be safely stored in the vehicle.
Can a ride use a cane or walker?
3
Can Sterling Rides transport someone who uses a wheelchair?
4
No. Volunteers vehicles are not equipped for wheelchair transportation, and volunteers cannot provide major transfer assistance.
What kinds of trips can a volunteer provide?
5
Typical rides include doctor or dental appointments, grocery shopping, pharmacy visits, hair appointments, and other basic errands.
Ride availability depends on the schedules and availability of volunteer drivers. SCI will review each request and explain the next steps.
6
Is a ride always guaranteed?
How do I request a ride or volunteer?
7
Call Senior Citizens Inc at 912-236-0363. A member of the team can assist you.