What we do
STARS is an ALL-VOLUNTEER initiative that has used extraordinary community spirit and dedication to create a highly praised organization with a singular mission:
“To provide non-emergency medical rides to Sisters’ residents who are unable to drive themselves.”
Photo courtesy of Wendy Birnbaum - Ruby the Red Car, courtesy of Karen Shadley
Our story
A 2017 community-led initiative identified medical appointment transportation as one of the primary challenges affecting livability for Sisters Country residents. Determined it was a difficulty worth tackling, a passionate volunteer group created the STARS organization with Age Friendly Sisters Country fiscal sponsorship. STARS completed its first ride in March 2020, steadily becoming known for its friendly professional service and reliability. By late 2023, organizers knew it was time to take the next steps so in July 2024 STARS became an independent 501c3 nonprofit organization with an impressive Board of Directors.
Impressive growth
STARS grew steadily even during COVID restrictions while other ride-share services stopped providing rides. STARS volunteers knew there was a need for medical rides in the community and this growth was proof to them that medical transportation was a problem, and volunteers could be a part of the solution.
In 2024 STARS provided 726 roundtrip rides and volunteer drivers completed over 32,000 miles. Dispatchers spent 520 hours actively dispatching and hundreds of hours monitoring telephones to make sure passengers and drivers could reach us in case of emergency. The volunteer staff and board of directors worked tirelessly to manage funding, policies, and people with a keen understanding that STARS is a vital Sisters community service and without it, many residents with mobility, vision, hearing and other challenges would struggle to get to their medical appointments.
Transportation is a crucial determinant of rural health with cost and accessibility making it difficult for residents unable to drive to medical appointments to age in place in Sisters. Passengers continually tell us they have no idea what they would do without STARS. And it is our honor to serve them.
