Our wonderful VMA volunteers drive fellow Villagers to about 25 medical appointments every month. A volunteer driver will pick up a Villager, drop off at the office or hospital, wait for the appointment to end, and return the Villager to their home.
Here are the guidelines that drivers and riders need to know:
1. It’s a “curb to curb” service: Volunteers cannot walk people into a medical facility.
2. Volunteers drive their own cars: Volunteers cannot drive someone else’s car.
3. Heavy stuff: Most volunteers cannot lift walkers or wheelchairs in or out of vehicles. Riders must let us know if they need this assistance.
4. No sedation: Volunteers cannot drive Villagers who will receive sedation at the appointment (e.g., colonoscopy or other procedure).
5. Rides per month: Villagers can receive a maximum of 4 rides per month: either round trip or one-way rides.
6. Commute hours: Please consider commute hours when scheduling appointments!
· Volunteer drivers will give three hours of their time, which includes pickup, driving, waiting, and driving home.
· It’s very difficult for us to find volunteer drivers for appointments before 9am or after 3:00pm when traffic is heavy and trips become very long.
7. Distance: Medical appointments must be within 20 miles of the Villages.
· It’s very difficult for us to find volunteers who will drive to Mt View or Palo Alto during commute hours.
8. Requesting a ride:
· Call the VMA office to request a ride between 2 and 4 days in advance of the appointment.
· The VMA office is closed on Friday, so if you have a Monday or Tuesday appointment, be sure to call by Wednesday or Thursday the previous week.
· We cannot guarantee that a volunteer will be available.
9. We always need more volunteer drivers! · Apply online: https://vmavillages.vgcc.club/ or stop by the VMA office to fill out an application.
Contact the VMA
· Phone: 408-238-4230
· Hours: Monday-Thursday from 9:30am to 2:30pm. We are closed on Friday.
· Location: Cribari Center (next to the post office), 5000 Cribari Lane
