Page 17 - SWTDD ANNUAL REPORT

MyRide Southeast’s biggest community champions continue to be their community partners AARP, Lions Clubs and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). These groups have assisted with recruitment strategies, volunteers, event spaces, and outreach opportunities.
MyRide Southeast programs are housed within the SEAAAD and the Southeast TN Development District (SETDD). Beth Jones is the Executive Director of the SETDD and Criss Grant is the Director of the SEAAAD. The office is located at 1000 Riverfront Parkway, Chattanooga, TN 37402 and can be reached at 423-266-5781.
MyRide TN Southeast Rider Spotlight
Ms. Marjorie Hewlett is an 80-year-old rider from Bradley County. She spends her time volunteering with community groups around Lee University as well as organizing a prayer group for a local church. Ms. Hewlett doesn’t feel comfortable driving anymore
“see I’m 80 years old,” she says, “and sometimes my nerves aren’t good, so I really don’t want to be responsible for people’s lives. No thanks, I don’t.”
Ms. Hewlitt never meets a stranger and loves to share resources with other seniors
in the area – including telling everyone around that MyRide TN Southeast is how she got there. “We really enjoy this. Up until MyRide there wasn’t really any other type of transportation. I went to the doctor, but other than that I never really went anywhere. I am proud to be able to get a ride when I need it!”
Ms. Hewlitt has been able to use MyRide TN Southeast to get to the doctor’s office as well as to go get groceries. She hopes to use MyRide in the future to go and visit her oldest friend across town, another MyRide rider, that she hasn’t been able to see in a long time.
16