For the last four years, the popular Sisters Ride Share and Transportation (STARS) program has been meeting the needs of residents who aren't able to provide their own transportation to non-emergency medical appointments in Sisters, Bend, and Redmond. In 2018, the need for that service was identified in a community study, and STARS, powered by volunteers, was created as a grassroots initiative to fill the need. Age Friendly Sisters Country (AFSC), a newly formed 501(c)(3) became the fiscal sponsor for STARS, their first Action Team, and has provided support and services from their start. Recently, AFSC redefined their purpose and elected to limit support contracts for Action Teams to five years. During 2024, STARS has been engaged in methodically transitioning to become its own independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

100 Women Who Care-Sisters recently raised $8,400 for Age Friendly Sisters Country/Sisters Transportation and Ride Share, the ride share services staffed by volunteers in our community. The fundraising was conducted at the group's June 27 quarterly meeting; the checks were presented to STARS on Saturday, June 29. Members of 100 WWC-Sisters, which now numbers over 100 members, chose STARS after presentations by the three nominated nonprofits, all of which represent Sisters' caring, giving community.

Sisters Transportation and Ride Share (STARS) has received a $30,000, three-year general operations grant from Roundhouse Foundation, supporting nonemergency medical transportation (NEMT) for Sisters Country residents. Roundhouse said the multi-year grant was awarded to acknowledge the great work STARS does in the community, and to provide sustainable support in the coming years. Rennie Morrell, STARS Program Manager, said, "Roundhouse has always believed in STARS and has provided us generous support over the last three years. This new grant will be a cornerstone for keeping STARS successful over the next three years and is very encouraging to the dedicated STARS volunteers."

Last Thursday, October 10, the bar at Three Creeks Brew Pub was full of good food, good friends, and good feelings as the Sisters Transportation and Ride Share (STARS) organization gathered for their second annual volunteer appreciation event.

STARS provides free rides to nonemergency medical appointments (physicians, dental, vision, physical therapy, hearing, lab work, and testing) in Sisters, Bend, and Redmond for residents of Sisters Country who can't drive themselves. Rides are given by volunteers who use their own cars to help their neighbors. All volunteers are screened and trained. Dispatching is an easy way to volunteer from home one or two days a month to help those who need rides to connect with drivers.

There are many reasons people need rides to medical appointments. They may have given up driving altogether, have a temporary condition that makes driving impossible, or they may feel uncomfortable driving in inclement weather or outside of their own area. Whatever the reasons, when people stop driving themselves, they have limited options for travel to nonemergency medical appointments. Most people rely on paying for rides, or asking a friend, neighbor, or family member for assistance. The problem with these options is the expense that adds up when using paid rides for frequent appointments, and the all-too-common feeling of being a "burden" to others.