New Medical Transport Ministry Begins

By Susan Shinn Turner

Beginning in September, St. John’s will offer a Medical Transportation Ministry, providing a formal program for a service that several members have been providing on an informal basis.

“I have received phone calls for requests for transportation,” says Carolyn Byrd, director of senior ministry. “You know how God nudges you?”

So she pulled together a group of people willing to serve as drivers: Pat Roos, Lorna Reasor, Elaine Gerst, Eleanor Sifford, and Randy Overcash. Pat will match drivers with members who need transportation.

“This is something I’ve been doing on my own for several years,” Pat says. “I think that a lot of members will use this service. This is a free service, and there are not that many options here in Salisbury for public transportation. If you can no longer drive, it’s nice to have a friend or advocate to take you to a medical appointment. These appointments can be stressful, and if you have someone there to sit with you, you don’t feel so alone.”

The drivers will transport fellow members to local doctors’ appointments only. There is no transportation to regional medical centers. Drivers will need to know if members have special needs or use a wheelchair or walker. Each driver should carry liability insurance.

“We have members of our church family who want to remain at home,” Carolyn says, and getting help with transportation is one way they can continue to live independently.

If you’d like to schedule transportation to a doctor’s appointment, or volunteer to serve as a driver, please call or text Pat Roos at 704-232-0171.