STARS News
Read the latest 6 posts about all the great work STARS is doing for the Sisters community, and what others are doing to help STARS with its mission to provide non-emergency medical rides to Sisters’ residents who are unable to drive themselves.
Want to read all of our history in the news? The archive lists all of our posts chronologically.
Today STARS took part in the Resource Fair hosted by Living Well With Dementia, a support and resource group serving Sisters Country. The event included a community walk to raise awareness for brain health, followed by a resource fair featuring local organizations and services for individuals living with dementia and all care partners.
Although the wind ultimately caused to fair to “fold their tents” early, Sisters Transportation and Ride Share board chairperson, Christy Corzine, and Executive Director, Rennie Morrell, were able to introduce to those living with dementia, and caregivers, the essential services we offer. Our free ride service to non-emergency medical appointments, helps in the mission to “Live Well With Dementia”.
Any journey to health and healing, starts with getting the help we need from our medical providers. Often the caregivers of those living with dementia, can no longer drive. We work with caregivers to schedule the vital transportation they need.
If you live in Sisters Country and cannot drive yourself or someone you take care, of to scheduled medical appointments, STARS is here to help. It’s easy to use our FREE service of rides to appointments in Sisters, Redmond and Bend. Give us a call, at 541-904-5545, at least 48 hours in advance, on any Tuesday and Thursday between the hours of 10 am and 3 pm. Our friendly dispatchers will get the information we need about your appointment and help to set up your ride with one of our competent, safe and reliable drivers. And you will be on your way! Rides are offered to appointment Mondays thru Fridays.
If you are interested in volunteering to keep Sisters a livable, lovely community, please consider joining our team. With the growing needs in Sisters Country, we need folks who can drive passengers to non-emergency medical appointments, and those who would enjoy being a dispatcher from your home. Visit our website, https://starsride.org/volunteer/drive-for-us. STARS reimburses our drivers for their mileage.
STARS was honored to be awarded a grant from the Oregon Community Foundation. The generous $15,000 grant will go far in supporting our mission to help keep Sisters healthy, one ride at a time. OCF is committed to funding organizations that work to improve lives in every corner of Oregon. Funding free transportation to non-emergency medical appointments is essential to rural areas.
April is National Volunteer Appreciation Month, and at STARS, we acknowledge that without our volunteers, we wouldn’t exist. We are comprised of 100% volunteers who serve on the board, are directors and managers, take phone calls, and drive passengers to their non-emergency medical appointments.
SISTERS, Ore. -- Sisters Transportation and Ride Share (STARS) helps older folks with crucial, free transportation.
"I used to be quite independent and I always managed to care for myself," said 86-year-old Sisters resident Barbara Barnett. "Then I started having health issues like a lot of us do."
Barnett is one of several Sisters residents who rely heavily on STARS, the only all-volunteer, non-emergency medical transportation service in Oregon.
April is National Volunteer Appreciation Month, and at STARS, we acknowledge that without our volunteers, we wouldn’t exist. We are comprised of 100% volunteers who serve on the board, are directors and managers, take phone calls, and drive passengers to their non-emergency medical appointments.
On the hangar wall of her duty station in Corpus Christi, Texas, hung a sign reading, "Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way." Rennie Morrell made the choice to lead that day and her path to Sisters has reflected her sense of duty to community and country ever since.
She stunned her family when she enlisted in the Navy at age 18. In Corpus Christi, she was an Aviation Admin but her decision to lead opened the door to a bachelor's degree in sociology and an officer's commission in 1983. She ultimately served a total of 22 years in the Navy, retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Commander with stations in Japan and the Pentagon. She specialized in training and technology throughout her career. Her and husband, Jim, frequented Sisters on vacation and made the permanent move in
2000. She looked for local opportunities to serve and became one of the original founders of STARS - Sisters Transportation and Ride Share. She also assisted in implementing the ride booking software which manages the whole process from request to delivery. In 2024, STARS provided 726 roundtrip rides with drivers completing more than 32,000 miles. For Rennie, serving her community was the next logical step after a career serving this country. "I feel I was always built for a life of service. It's in my makeup," she says.
