The Lynx seeks drivers willing to transport kids

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One of the most vital services provided for families through Penquis Community Action Program is its transportation program, The Lynx.

Sharon Eaton, director of community support for Penquis CAP, reports the organization is experiencing a severe shortage of volunteer drivers for The Lynx, which now has only 38 volunteers who will transport children.

And, of those particular drivers, only 19 will transport children of all ages.

Considering that an average of 145 children need rides each day for physical therapy, speech therapy, counseling and other social services, you can imagine the problem this poses for staff members at Penquis CAP.

“We have days when we have to call families and tell them they either must transport the child themselves or find a friend or neighbor to do it for them, and they will be reimbursed.”

And while the family-or-friend reimbursement is offered, it places additional burdens and stress on parents and guardians who do not have easy access to a car.

Unfortunately, if someone is not found to drive that child, the necessary appointment will be missed.

The situation is this, Eaton reported:

Of those drivers who will transport children, more than half restrict the ages of the children they will drive, and only three-quarters of those particular drivers are available on any given day.

Factoring in that half of those volunteers may be transporting children to long-distance appointments, the number of volunteer drivers who are able to serve the remaining children is drastically reduced.

Simply put, there are not enough volunteer drivers to meet demand, especially when it comes to transporting children.

That is why The Lynx needs to increase its volunteer-driver pool.

Volunteers have the option of working as much or as little as they like, and are reimbursed 30 cents per mile for the use of their vehicles.

To become a volunteer driver, you have to pass a Department of Human Services background check, a Department of Motor Vehicle check and a State Bureau of Investigation check.

You also must complete a four-hour orientation program, a defensive driving course, and an eight-hour children’s transportation course if you are willing to transport children.

If you are interested in helping people receive the services they need, especially children, call Penquis CAP at 973-3627.

A get-acquainted day for the 108 Boy Scouts and 12 leaders who will attend the National Scout Jamboree in July 2005 is planned for 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday Aug. 21, at Camp Roosevelt in Eddington.

The daylong activities for Scouts from Aroostook, Hancock, Penobscot, Waldo and Washington counties, include an A-frame building competition, rappelling and climbing.

For more information, e-mail Andy Sheaff at andy@eece.maine.edu.

Once more this week, we learn from Carol Lackedy about another fund-raiser for Children’s Miracle Network of Eastern Maine Healthcare.

The CMN Motorcycle Mystery Ride Poker Run begins with games and a barbecue at 2 p.m. and the ride at 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21, at Brewer Wal-Mart Supercenter.

Your registration fee is a $10 donation to CMN.

The ride begins and ends at Wal-Mart, but where it takes you is the “mystery” part of the fund-raiser.

Prizes will be awarded for games, and for the winning and losing hands.

Also available will be drawings for items and gift certificates provided by local businesses, and a 50-50 drawing.

For more information, or to preregister, call Lackey at 848-7317.

The rain date for this event is Sunday, Aug. 22.

The Franklin Historical Society’s annual pancake breakfast begins at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21, at the Veterans’ Club on Route 182 in Franklin.

This event “is our major fund-raiser for the season,” reports BHS member Bill Robertson.

Admission for the all-you-can-eat breakfast is $5 for adults and $2.50 for children.

After breakfast, be sure to take in the FHS Combination Yard Sale-Craft Sale-Whatever Sale.

Members of Bangor High School Class of 1956 are planning an informal get-together to continue discussing plans for their 50th reunion in 2006.

The gathering is 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 24, at Miller’s Restaurant in Bangor.

Reunion Chairman Terry Duffy, now a New York state resident, would be happy to have any classmate in the area attend this meeting.

You are urged to come with updated information and addresses, and participate in a discussion of reunion plans.

Reservations are requested and can be made by calling Mona Herbert Trafton at 884-8531.

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.