New ride service for veterans, families

Hudson - Starting this year, local veterans in the Hudson, Maynard and Stow area will be riding easy.

VetRides, a program organized after a meeting with State Rep. Kate Hogan (DStow), provides free rides to area hospitals and Veterans Administration (VA) hospitals for veterans, their spouses and their widows, according to Hudson’s Veterans Director Brian Stearns.

The area of service is currently Marlborough, Stow, Maynard and Hudson, where the program has its headquarters. The program will provide veterans with rides to Marlborough Hospital, Emerson Hospital, the VA Medical Centers and Boston-area hospitals.

Stearns said that the program is designed to aid the veterans, as well as their loved ones.

“I have always wanted to provide a transportation program that would serve the needs of local veterans,” Stearns said. “Representative Hogan was a motivating force who ensured we moved forward with this project.”

Stearns said that a program like VetRides is vital for two reasons.

He said that it is difficult to find public transportation in the Hudson and Maynard area for elderly residents and that older drivers are facing increasing pressure to not drive.

Citing the possibility of future legislation that may affect the ability of elders to “maintain their independence of driving freely,” Stearns said that VetRides and programs like it could decrease the stress of finding transportation.

“There is a demographic that will be in high demand of transportation,” Stearns said.

According to Stearns, state legislators and leaders in the Massachusetts Department of Veterans Services work “relentlessly” to provide the best services they can to veterans.

While these leaders understand the need for transportation for veterans, Stearns believes that more can always be done on the local level.

“I believe (VetRides) is one way to expand upon the services to our veterans who need assistance without placing a financial burden on taxpayers who already pay for funded services,” Stearns said.

Stearns added the program is funded by private donations from local veteran service organizations, local businesses and individuals, and four annual fundraisers held throughout the year.

The organizations that have partnered with VetRides, Stearns said, include the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 82 in Marlborough and Star Touring and Riding Chapter 239 of Middlesex County. In addition, the Hudson Portuguese Club donated part of the proceeds from the annual Veterans Dinner held in November to the program.

“Interest has been overwhelming,” Stearns said, “Many of my veterans from Hudson are excited about this program.”

So far, there are four volunteer drivers. Stearns’s goal is to increase the number to 20, which would allow the program to have one driver for every weekday for Hudson, Marlborough, Stow and Maynard.

The program allows volunteers to work around their schedules, as well as receive compensation for gas, tolls, parking and incidentals such as lunch. Donations, Stearns said, will cover these costs.

Ultimately, his long-term goals include a designated vehicle for VetRides volunteers and adding more communities to the program’s area of service.

“I hope that this program will be viewed as a model for other communities,” Stearns said.

For more information about VetRides or to volunteer or donate, contact Stearns at VetRides, P.O. Box 357, Hudson MA 01749 or VetRides@live. com.