MyRideTN Expanding To Cumberland County

MyRideTN will expand to Cumberland County this summer following a successful launch in Putnam County.

Program Coordinator Carey Davenport said the transportation program allows seniors to have more freedom.

“It allows us to obtain volunteers to help out older adults who are 60 or above, who choose to no longer drive or no longer have the ability to drive anymore,” Davenport said. “And be able to give them their independence back to go to… the grocery store, the doctor’s office, or even over to one of the shopping centers, without having to wait for a family member to get off work or go on a weekend.”

MyRideTN officially launched in Putnam County in January. Since then, the program has grown to 26 riders and at least 23 volunteer drivers.

Davenport said the first volunteer orientation will take place in Crossville June 4.

“If [citizens are] interested in volunteering, they come and sign up, we do a background check and… we make sure they have a clean record and a clean driving record. Then they’ll participate in an hour-and-a-half to two-hour orientation class,” Davenport said. “After that, they will have an ID badge, they’ll have a sticker for their car that says they’re with MyRide, they’ll also have a t-shirt, and they only volunteer three hours a month.”

The Crossville orientation will begin at 4 p.m. at the Art Circle Public Library.

Davenport said those interested in volunteering or using the program’s services can visit myrideuctn.com for more information.