The Driver – Volunteer Newsletter – June 2025

Neighbor Ride offers a heartfelt thank you to Karen Trudel who is stepping down from the Neighbor Board after serving her three two-year terms (2019 to 2025). She served in a leadership capacity for five of those years – two years as Secretary and three years as Vice- President. She has been an instrumental member of the Board’s Finance Committee as well. Her generosity and impact extended beyond her leadership roles; as a long-time volunteer driver she directly makes a difference in the lives of those we serve.

Neighbor Ride is also deeply grateful for the board leadership of Paul Gleichauf. While Paul has another year on the board, he has just completed his two-year term as Board President. He has been instrumental to Neighbor Ride’s growing community partnerships and our successful Driving Forward and 20th Anniversary Campaigns. Paul’s generosity and impact also extend beyond his board service – he is a longtime volunteer driver and was elected to the Neighbor Ride Volunteer Hall of Fame in 2024.

Please join us in thanking Karen and Paul for their board service to Neighbor Ride. They truly show the strength and kindness that a caring community can provide and reflect the very best of us!

And Neighbor Ride agrees!  MileOne Autogroup, through its MileOne Cares program has been a supporter of Neighbor Ride since 2020.  Their annual grants have supported the Good Neighbor Fund and our food delivery program with the Howard County Food Bank.  They recently filmed a commercial that includes Neighbor Ride and many of the other non-profits they support.

Can you “spot” Neighbor Ride driver Paul G and Neighbor Ride client Mae B?

Driver Karen Hamming was spotted on a ride with client Betty Crader.  Karen has been a driver with Neighbor Ride since 2013.

Driver Lisa Smith was spotted leaving a client dropoff at Davita Dialysis. Lisa has been a volunteer since 2015. 

Our data shows that the car magnets are a wonderful recruitment tool for Neighbor Ride. 

On the 17th of each month, we ask that all volunteers display their magnet on the cars throughout the day. 

Gerald Green

Mike Harlan

Angela Brice-Smith

Joshua See

Sunetta Proper

Paula Johnson

Jennifer Dryer

We are saddened by the passing of drivers Chuck Thomas and Mary Beth Gezelle and passenger Karen Beck. Our thoughts are with their family and friends at this time.

Check our our latest stats from May. We appreciate our volunteers for helping us be out there on the roads each and every day for our clients! 

• Rides requests filled: 855
• Rides cancelled for no driver: 92
• Ride Unfilled rate: 8.1%
• Clients served: 274
• Different volunteers providing a ride: 186

20 Cars for 20 Years! We accept all vehicles of any age or condition. Anyone can donate, no matter what state you live in!