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.

The theme of National Volunteer Week, April 16-24, is "Volunteering Weaves Us Together."

Nowhere is that truer than among the Sisters Transportation and Ride Share (STARS) volunteers who provide free rides to nonemergency medical appointments for their neighbors in the Sisters School District. By offering to support their neighbors, volunteers add to the strength and vibrancy of Sisters.

Sisters Transportation and Ride Share (STARS) is an invaluable local program that offers free transportation for all Sisters Country residents, to Sisters, Bend, and Redmond for all non-emergency medical appointments: physicians, dental, vision, physical therapy, hearing, lab work, testing, and vaccinations.

STARS and COVID-19 came on the scene within months of each other, and yet STARS volunteers were able to provide 146 rides in under a year’s time in 2020 with hefty pandemic restrictions in place.

A big heart in a little package might be just the right way to describe a Sisters resident who has contributed to the Sisters community for the 23 years she has called this place home.

Annie Marland was one of the first to purchase a home in 2000 in The Pines, the 55-plus community located off McKinney Butte Road. Her neighbors refer to her as “The Historian,” because she’s been there since the beginning of the neighborhood. Her dad lived with her for the first four years, until he passed away in 2004.

“I don’t know what I’d do without you,” is the common, heartfelt sentiment voiced by Sisters residents who receive free rides to nonemergency medical appointments in Sisters, Redmond, and Bend courtesy of Sisters Transportation and Ride Share (STARS).

Volunteers drivers, dispatchers, and action team members for STARS were honored last Thursday at the first-ever STARS Volunteer Appreciation gathering.

Age Friendly Sisters Country (AFSC) is grateful to The Roundhouse Foundation, Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation, St. Charles, and C4C/Vision Team for their generous support of Sisters Transportation and Ride Share in 2022. Sisters Transportation and Ride Share (STARS) volunteers provide free rides to non-emergency medical appointments in Sisters, Bend, and Redmond, and the service is available to any Sisters Country resident. STARS is an Age Friendly Sisters Country action team.