It’s with both gratitude and sadness that we announce the retirement of our wonderful Program Director, Patrice Cerwonka, on September 1 after 16 years of service to Neighbor Ride. During that time, she was instrumental in creating the Ride Match database, which manages the logistics of scheduling rides, and in developing the volunteer appreciation program and events. Her legacy extends far beyond her achievements;  her generosity, positive spirit, and willingness to help others have powered our work of neighbor helping neighbor every day.

We asked a few of her colleagues why Patrice is so special:

Holly Waddell, former Volunteer Coordinator: “The most remarkable thing about Patrice is how she kept so many details about so many drivers in her head. She could remember the addresses and driving habits of dozens and dozens of drivers. When you were looking for that last-minute driver, she could look at the ride details and say, ‘John Doe often drives on Tuesday mornings; he lives near that passenger and likes driving to Catonsville, so call him.’ And she would do that multiple times every single day.”

Rosemary Noble, Holly’s predecessor as Volunteer Coordinator: “Patrice is intuitive, willing to accept challenges, and always kind as she works hard to make sure seniors get to their destinations. Days in the office could be challenging, and Patrice offered encouragement and support to both our passengers and volunteers.”

Executive Director Bruce Fulton says, “She really is the heart of Neighbor Ride and exemplifies our mission by being focused on passengers’ comfort and peace of mind. She set the bar for it.”

On behalf of our clients, volunteers, donors, and partners: THANK YOU, Patrice! Your dedication, compassion, and leadership have helped so many older adults in Howard County stay connected and cared for. We will miss you, but we send all our best wishes for your next chapter.

While Patrice leaves big shoes to fill, we will soon begin a search for new program leadership and support. Please watch for the position announcements and help spread the word.

Thank you to everyone who has already completed our Volunteer Satisfaction Survey! Your feedback is very valuable and helps us improve the Neighbor Ride volunteer experience.

If you haven’t had a chance yet, there’s still time. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey by July 30. Your input will help guide future volunteer support, training, and program improvements.

As a thank you, volunteers who choose to share their name for follow-up will be entered into a drawing for a $50 Wegmans gift card!

As many of our wonderful Neighbor Ride drivers enjoy some well-earned vacation time this summer, it’s harder to ensure that our clients get all of their ride requests filled while volunteers are taking time off.

If you have some extra time between now and September, please consider taking an extra ride or two to cover for your fellow volunteers who are traveling. We’d appreciate your help to make sure our clients are staying connected!

Deborah Adler, RYT200, is generously including Neighbor Ride in her Donation-based Summer Yoga Series!

When: Wednesday, July 29 from 6:30 pm to 7:45 pm. 

Where: Define Hair & Skin, 3419 Plum Tree Drive in Ellicott City

To register, email Deborah at: dsavam@yahoo.com

About the instructor: Deborah Adler has been practicing alignment-based hatha yoga for over 25 years and in 2024 completed her 200-hour teacher training at the Yoga Center of Columbia. 

Get the ultimate concert experience at a fraction of the price. Subscribers receive 20% off single ticket prices — it’s literally like getting a free concert (5 for the price of 4!) —  and the seat of their choice. 

Don’t forget to check the Notes section to see if a client prefers a certain vehicle height. Some prefer a sedan, some specify no high-step vehicles, and some prefer SUVs. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to check with the office.

On the 17th of each month, we ask all volunteers to display their Neighbor Ride magnet on their car throughout the day. Thank you!

Check out our latest stats from June. 

• Ride requests received: 1,055
• Rides cancelled for no driver: 70
• Unfilled Ride Request Rate: 6.64%
• Ride requests completed: 818
• Clients served: 270
• Different volunteers providing a ride:  195 — A new record since the pandemic!

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

If you’re required to take a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from your IRA, consider using a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD).

A QCD allows individuals age 70½ and older to donate directly from their IRA to a qualified charity, and if you’re age 73 or older, the gift can count toward your RMD. 

It’s a simple way to support causes you care about while potentially reducing your taxable income. Talk with your financial advisor to see whether a QCD is right for you.

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!