STARS Board Chair letter to The Nugget News editor:
In looking forward to what we want to accomplish with Sisters Transportation and Rideshare (STARS) in the coming year, I pause to appreciate the journey of the past year and embrace joy in our recent achievements. We are deeply grateful to be a part of the Sisters community and for the support, collaboration, and shared commitment that made the past year so meaningful. What a year!

Northwest Emergency Medical Training, led by owner and instructor Tracy Trotter in partnership with instructor Dr. Bradley Rethwill, provided a lifesaving CPR and First Aid course to 13 dedicated volunteers from STARS (Sisters Transportation and Ride Share) on January 29, at The Canoe Club in Sisters. The instruction aimed to equip volunteers with essential life-saving skills that can make all the difference when assisting the most vulnerable members of the community.

Sisters Transportation and RideShare (STARS) announced that its year-end ride sponsorship drive has raised a total of $8,100.

The STARS volunteer rideshare program provides Sisters Country residents with free non-emergency rides to medical appointments in Sisters, Bend, and Redmond. STARS “riders” are unable to drive themselves or afford private ride companies, and many rely on the service regularly. Each STARS ride costs an average of $50 and the organization set a goal of raising $5,000 — the equivalent of 100 sponsored rides — during its fundraiser, which kicked off on Giving Tuesday in late November and ran through December of 2024.

Sisters Transportation and RideShare (STARS) announced its ride sponsorship “drive” is launching on Giving Tuesday, December 3, and will run through December 31. STARS is a volunteer ride share program that provides Sisters Country residents with free non-emergency medical rides to Sisters, Bend, and Redmond. STARS “riders” are unable to drive themselves or afford private ride services, and many say, without the nonprofit, they would need to cancel their medical visits.

The October Community Builders meeting was held at the U.S. Forest Service Sisters Ranger District garage. Attendees were welcomed by Lauren DuRocher, acting district ranger while Ian Reid is on a four-month temporary assignment on the Modoc National Forest. He will be back in Sisters in early December.

"Stepping Up" was the theme of the third annual Volunteer Appreciation Event held for Sisters Transportation and Ride Share last Thursday at Sisters Depot. Recognized for their outstanding contributions to STARS over the past year, the STAR Dispatcher of the Year is Debbie Hewett and the STAR Driver of the Year is Rita Weber.