April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, and we are extra thankful this year. Neighbor Ride is having a banner year so far, and it’s all thanks to you!  

In March, we set a record: 13 new volunteers joined Neighbor Ride, and 15 new volunteers took their very first ride. We also set a new high of 198 active volunteers — 15% above  our monthly average.  

In our last fiscal year, volunteer drivers gave 14,259 hours — the equivalent of almost $507,000 in donated time. If you add on the work of our dedicated in-office Ride Coordinators and our board, then you contributed almost 20,000 hours of volunteer service in FY25. 

Most importantly, what you give to our clients every day is priceless, creating community and lifting seniors up. You exemplify neighbors helping neighbors. In the words of our clients: 

“We are overwhelmed by the generosity of the drivers! So good of them.” 

“Neighbor Ride has been a godsend to our community and to me. The drivers are great!” 

“Neighbor Ride keeps me independent. You’re a lifesaver. All of your employees and volunteers are a pleasure to deal with.” 

“A godsend! The best thing for the elderly in Howard County.” 

“Excellent drivers with patience and a true desire to help.” 

“We can finally ride in comfort with kind and skilled drivers (Along with great conversations!)” 

“Since I am unable to drive, Neighbor Ride means the world to me.” 

We hope you’re planning on joining us for our annual Volunteer Appreciation Event on April 20, from 10am-12pm at the Nonprofit Collaborative in Columbia. 

Come cheer for the new inductees to the Volunteer Hall of Fame, adding to the ranks of the 51 who have been acknowledged since 2024 for their unwavering commitment to Neighbor Ride and going above and beyond. 

We will also be recognizing volunteers who’ve given more than 20 years of service. 

Enjoy food and friendships with your fellow volunteers and hear from Guest Speaker Kami Bennett of the Howard County Office on Aging and Independence, who will discuss the Age-Friendly Howard County Initiative and provide a dementia care overview. 

Most importantly, we will present the plans for a new volunteer smartphone app and hope to get your input!

Please RSVP and let us know you’re coming at the link below.

When: Monday, April 20, 10 am-12 pm

Where: Nonprofit Collaborative

9770 Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia, MD 21046

Got a lucky charm? Bring them along! Invite your friends, family, neighbors — anyone who loves a good laugh and a great cause — to our upcoming BINGO fundraiser! More players = more fun = more support for our mission.

️Grab Your Tickets & Join the Fun! 

When: Saturday, May 2, 7 pm; Doors open at 6 pm

Where: FOP Lodge 69, 2832 Nine Mile Circle, Catonsville, MD 21228

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

Come see a night of musical opposites attracting. This celebrates the power of contrast — between light and darkness, visible and invisible worlds, and the wildly different temperaments that make us human. From a Mexican composer’s spiritual journey through indigenous traditions to Beethoven’s dramatic battle between despair and triumph, to Nielsen’s literal exploration of human personality types, these works remind us that music thrives on tension, transformation, and the space between extremes.

Saturday, May 16, 7:30 pm

Jim Rouse Theatre, Wilde Lake High School

5460 Trumpeter Rd, Columbia, MD 21044

Check out our latest stats from March. 

• Ride requests received: 1,067
• Rides cancelled for no driver: 55
• Unfilled Ride Request Rate: 5.15%
• Ride requests completed: 854
• Clients served: 260
• Different volunteers providing a ride: 198

We appreciate our volunteers for helping us be out there on the roads each and every day for our clients!

When people hear the word fundraising, they sometimes imagine awkward asks, endless phone calls, or selling things door to door. Good news: supporting our work doesn’t have to feel like that at all. 

In fact, some of the most powerful ways to help are also the easiest, and they fit into your everyday life. Last month, we talked about the power of holding a birthday fundraiser. 

Here are three more low‑stress, high‑impact ways you can make a difference without breaking a sweat. 

Share a Social Post 

A quick like, share, or repost can go a long way. When you share our posts, you help spread the word to people we might never reach on our own. Think of it as digital word‑of‑mouth — easy, quick, and surprisingly powerful. Bonus points if you add a sentence about why you care! 

Invite a Friend to an Event 

Coming to one of our events? Bring a friend along! New faces are always welcome. You’re not “asking for support,” you’re inviting someone to something you enjoy and believe in. That’s the best kind of introduction!

Forward This Newsletter 

It may sound simple, but forwarding our newsletter helps us grow our community. If something made you smile, think, or feel inspired, chances are someone else will feel the same way. A single forward can spark a new connection. 

Big impact doesn’t always require big effort. Every post shared, invite sent, birthday celebrated, or email forwarded helps move our mission forward — and we’re so grateful you’re part of it. 

Support Neighbor Ride through a car donation! It’s easy, and we accept all vehicles of any age or condition. Anyone can donate, no matter what state you live in!