COLUMBUS, Ind. — Veterans facing medical issues are finding it increasingly difficult to get a round-trip ride to the Roudebush VA Medical Center in Indianapolis.
The problem is the increasing difficulty in recruiting volunteer drivers to drive the 12-passenger van, according to Angel Walker, who coordinates the transportation program sponsored by the Bartholomew County Veteran Services office.
Prior to the arrival of COVID-19, as many as 14 volunteers were on the schedule to drive former military personnel to the VA medical center, Veteran Services Officer Larry Garrity said.
“But right now, we only have a handful of drivers,” Garrity said. “No more than five.”
While that is true, Walker says she only has about two drivers that she describes as consistently dependable.
One driver, Tim Thayer of Hope, says he’s been trying to contact local veteran organizations to recruit volunteers. But he’s not receiving return phone calls.
When Walker isn’t on the phone trying to coax a person into driving, she’s attempting different recruiting tactics.
“I’ve tried different Facebook posts, made flyers, and trying to talk visitors and their families into distribute the flyers,” Walker said.
For the complete story, see Sunday’s Republic.
