Senior Miles (SMiles) is launching its first fundraising campaign since the program began operation four years’ ago, inviting local individuals and businesses to invest in this award-winning transportation for non-driving older adults in Blount County. The goal is to raise $10,000 in local donations.
SMiles is senior-friendly transportation that was created in and for Blount County and has provided independence, dignity and improved quality of life to local residents age 60+. Volunteers, driving their personal vehicles, have donated 13,800 hours of their time and traveled 90,156 miles of local roads taking members on essential trips to the doctor, grocery store and many other places.
Although SMiles relies on its 114 volunteers to provide the rides, the program still needs local financial investment to be sustainable. It is with that in mind that the Senior Action Council, which oversees SMiles operations, is inviting readers to support the program by making tax-deductible donations. “SMiles is known throughout the State of Tennessee as a model for senior transportation,” according to Maryville’s Mayor Tom Taylor, who is chair of the Senior Action Council. There are thirteen senior-friendly transportation programs in Tennessee that are modeled after SMiles. Taylor continues, “investing in this program is ensuring that it remains in place for future riders, including you and me.”
The Blount County Office on Aging houses SMiles, which has a full-time manager and pays for office space at the Blount County Community Action Agency. Other expenses include insurance, training for volunteers, criminal background checks, mileage, and the exceptional software that is used to make it easy for the program’s 114 volunteers to schedule themselves for rides. Financial support from our community is essential for the future of SMiles and meeting the $75,000 budget for 2017-18 and beyond.
SMiles is giving the community an opportunity to invest in its success by launching an annual giving campaign with a goal of $10,000. This local support will allow the program to be less dependent on government funding and able to weather any shift in focus at the state and federal level. Riders alone cannot fund it, even though they pay modest annual membership fees and $6 per ride. The SMiles program is too important to leave its survival to chance so you’re being invited to become part of this great program.
Checks can be written to SMiles and mailed to 3509 Tuckaleechee Pike, Maryville TN 37803. Donations can also be made by using a credit card at the agency’s website, www.blountcaa.org. or calling 865-724-1331. All donations are tax-deductible and greatly appreciated, especially by the SMiles’ riders. There are 20 seniors on the waiting list who are anxious to experience the independence they lost when giving up their car keys.