County's Elderly Get Much-Needed Lift

Volunteer Group Has a Growing Role in the Lives of Loudoun's Seniors

Mervin Jackson doesn't know how he would get from Leesburg to Sterling three times a week for kidney dialysis if a dedicated group of volunteers wasn't around to take him to the appointments.

In need of the treatment since February, Jackson, 79, is one of more than 125 seniors who get rides through Loudoun Volunteer Caregivers, a nonprofit group that helps elderly residents with daily tasks, including trips to the doctor, grocery shopping and household chores.

"They're excellent," Jackson said. "They're outstanding."

In June, the Loudoun County chapter of the American Red Cross, which had given rides to seniors for medical appointments for three decades, ended the service because of budget constraints. Since then, requests for rides from Volunteer Caregivers have gone through the roof, said Amy Shelton, the group's executive director.

"Right now, we're managing it, but . . . our volunteers are going above and beyond the norm," Shelton said. "We are trying to recruit more volunteers to help ease the burden on our current volunteers."

In the fiscal year that ended June 30, the group provided 294 one-way trips for dialysis treatment, about half of the rides it offered, Shelton said. In the first quarter of this fiscal year, the group provided 234 rides for dialysis.

Unlike the Red Cross, which paid its drivers, Volunteer Caregivers relies on volunteers, although it has a small paid staff to coordinate volunteer efforts.

Despite that potential handicap, Shelton said, the group is managing with volunteers willing to assist seniors multiple times a week.

After the Red Cross discontinued its program, the Board of Supervisors voted to direct about $90,000 in gas tax funds slated for the Red Cross to Volunteer Caregivers to help the group expand. Shelton said the money has allowed the group to add a part-time staff position, increase the hours for staff and buy $10,000 worth of gas cards to help volunteers offset the costs of the trips.

One of those volunteers, George Taylor, 78, who lives in the Leesburg area, has been giving rides to seniors since 1992. A retired computer technician, he provides rides every Wednesday from 7:30 a.m. to about 7 p.m.

Asked what motivates him, he pointed to the Bible.

"It says that you should look after somebody that's a total stranger," Taylor said.

"Believe it or not, taking some people to get their treatments and stuff really makes you feel good, because you can see it really helps them. When they come out, they feel a lot better, and they look a lot better."