The Volunteer Transportation Center, Inc. (VTC) is growing in its effort to help more residents of the North Country facing transportation challenges.

VTC Executive Director Sam Purington said the nonprofit organization is expanding its operations into Oswego County, which includes establishing dispatching and volunteer driver operations.

The expansion of services has allowed the VTC to offer advancement for current team members. The changes include:

• Frank Doldo, who has served as the organization’s St. Lawrence County Mobility Manager in the Canton office, has been promoted to the Director of the Regional Mobility Management program. Doldo’s responsibilities now include overseeing the Mobility Management program in St. Lawrence and Oswego Counties while developing other mobility management opportunities in adjacent communities.

• Honey Marie Galaydick, who has served as a Finance Clerk in the Watertown office, has been promoted to Staff Accountant for the VTC and additionally provides financial oversight for the newly-formed Volunteer Transportation Center Foundation.

• Carol Gardner, who has served as Senior Transportation Coordinator in the Watertown office, will transition to the role of Finance Clerk.

• Greg Mastro, who has served as a Transportation Coordinator in the Canton office, will transition to the role of Driver Support Clerk.

“We are pleased to have our staff grow with the organization,” said Purington. “Our staff and Board of Directors are committed to fulfilling our mission of providing transportation alternatives to those in rural areas without sufficient access to critical health related services.”

The Volunteer Transportation Center, Inc. (VTC), established in 1991, drives thousands of miles each year assisting community members in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence Counties. Over the last 29 years, this essential non-profit organization has provided rides to health care appointments, grocery shopping, and other destinations for residents.

In 2019, volunteer drivers provided 30,356 charitable trips over 912,866 miles in St. Lawrence, Jefferson, and Lewis counties, an increase in miles of 17.47% over 2018. Of those miles, 424,290 originated in Jefferson County, 347,386 in St. Lawrence County, and 141,190 in Lewis County,.

VTC says the staff, board of directors and volunteer drivers look forward to a time when transportation to community activities and services is accessible to all residents regardless of economic or specialized needs. But for now the mission drives on — striving to provide transportation to health, wellness and critical needs destinations utilizing volunteers and mobility management for anyone who has barriers to transportation.

For more information about the Volunteer Transportation Center, its upcoming events, to become a volunteer driver or other ways you can help, contact the agency at 315-788-0422.

To learn more, visit www.VolunteerTransportationCenter.org.