March 28, 2024
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Surry group once again offers rides to residents Community association revives local service

SURRY – Folks here who need a ride won’t have to look much farther than their neighbors, thanks to the Surry Community Improvement Association.

SCIA recently established a transportation committee that will help organize rides for people who need them, according to Ruth Yerkes, the chairwoman of the committee.

“This is not an emergency service,” she said, “it’s not an ambulance or even a regular thing. It’s just to let people in Surry know that there are people they can call if they need a ride.”

The program is designed to provide occasional rides for those who might need to get to a medical appointment, to buy groceries or pick up prescriptions, she said.

This is not a new concept for the area. Several years ago, the association organized a similar service that was well-used for a time, Yerkes said. It died out after a while, but last year, the association’s new president, Jerry Kaufman, thought it might work again, she said.

The effort was not a response to the events of Sept. 11, Yerkes said, although the attacks certainly have made people more aware of the needs of others.

“We’re all more aware that we have to look out for other people,” she said. “We’re just trying to be the kind of neighbors we’d like to have.”

She stressed that the program is limited to Surry residents, noting that the association is a small group and the rides will be provided by volunteers.

This is not the only service that SCIA offers the community. The association has been active for several years, and its focus recently has been the local elementary school where many association members serve as volunteer helpers. The members hold meetings throughout the year featuring speakers on topics of interest to residents.

Recent talks have brought in school students who reported on their survey of the Surry shoreline. Regular sessions each March feature town and school officials discussing the school and municipal budgets before the annual town meeting.

The association also collects funds for its Angel Project, which provides gifts to area children who otherwise might not get any.

The new ride program is ready to go, Yerkes said.

“We’ve got about 14 people who have signed up to be called in case there is a need,” she said.

Yerkes added that the committee has tried to get volunteers located near main roads in town so that all areas of the town are covered. Anyone who needs a ride should call Yerkes in advance.

Anyone interested in providing rides also may call Yerkes at 664-0545.


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