The Driver – Volunteer Newsletter – November 2025

At this thankful time of year, Neighbor Ride has so many reasons to be grateful. Thank you to the volunteers who provide the wheels and staff the call center, our wonderful passengers and their community spirit, our board for their leadership, our partners who extend our reach into the community, and our donors who fuel our operations!  

Neighbor Ride is thankful to so many wonderful folks who stepped up to help with our video interview project. As part of this year’s theme of “Every Ride Has a Story,” these inspiring testimonials will be used for social media marketing to attract volunteers and funding, on our website, and for presentations about Neighbor Ride to the community. You can preview the first video with drivers Elizabeth and John Glennon above.

A round of applause for everyone from our Neighbor Ride family who agreed to participate and share their stories: drivers Elizabeth and John Glennon, Emily Morris, Debra Carr, Gary Bruzdzinski, Deborah Hasan, and Leo Graves, and passengers Katherine Marshall, Jane and Jim Hjelm, and their daughter Kristin. 

Mark Miller, a retired media professional, member of the Board Outreach Committee, and freelance videographer extraordinaire, volunteered his time to film and edit the videos. Mark worked closely with Kyri Jacobs from Bonnie Heneson Communications.

Look for all of them on social media and our website in the following months! 

TowerCares Foundation, the charitable giving arm of Tower Federal Credit Union, has been a partner of Neighbor Ride’s Driving Heroes program for six years. Their first grant in 2020 launched the Driving Heroes Program, and their continued support has fueled its growth ever since. Pictured above are Neighbor Ride Executive Director Bruce Fulton and Board President Bita Dayhoff receiving this year’s grant from TowerCares Foundation Chairman R. Allen Brisentine, III and Mary-Brigid McCauley of Tower Federal Credit Union.

Over the past year alone, veteran passengers received nearly 1,000 free trips, while veteran volunteers provided almost 500 trips for local seniors—connecting veterans in our community to care, groceries, and social activities. 

Recently, the Foundation passed the milestone of providing over $4 million in grants to the community. To celebrate, TFCU employees voted for the favorite organizations that TowerCares supports, and Neighbor Ride was one of the winners!

Neighbor Ride will receive an additional $10,000 in support as part of this honor. TowerCares Foundation’s commitment not only helps us serve veterans today but also inspires us to expand this vital program for tomorrow. Together, we are reducing isolation, ensuring access to essential resources, and creating meaningful ways to serve.

Reminder: The 17th is Magnet Day

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 your car throughout the day. 

Lilah Haxton
Geri Kapoor
Kert Blodgett
Charles Kimbeng
Stephen Poulos
Mike Share
Ntego Sono-Hardin
Dorina White

We’re bringing the sounds of the season to life with sparkling favorites like Sleigh Ride, selections from The Nutcracker, and a sing-along-worthy Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. We’ll celebrate many traditions with the joyful Festive Sounds of Hanukkah and take a magical trip on The Polar Express. Rounding things out are the nostalgic glow of White Christmas and the lively A Christmas Carnival to send you home humming.

Whether you’re a holiday music superfan or just love a good winter celebration, this concert is a perfect way to kick off the season with warmth, joy, and a little extra sparkle.

We are saddened by the passing of passenger:

Linda Johnson

Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this time.

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

• Ride requests filled: 913
• Rides cancelled for no driver: 51
• Ride Unfilled rate: 4.51%
• Clients served: 273
• Different volunteers providing a ride: 191

Our annual appeal is underway, and we’re sharing our “Every Ride Has a Story” message with the Neighbor Ride family. Stories of giving back, of connection, of service…maybe you have one to add?

In this season of giving, we want to thank all of you for your support and the many ways you help Neighbor Ride drive its mission forward. We are grateful to all our volunteers who make Howard County a place where neighbors truly care for one another.

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