As the New Year rings in, many citizens commit to fulfilling personal goals, or New Year's resolutions. One resolution that can make a community-wide difference is as simple as offering our senior and disabled citizens a ride and with the help of the Assisted Rides Program volunteers are embracing the idea.

On December 19, Trina Cason, Assistance Rides Program Mobility Manager, hosted the first volunteer orientation at the Williamsburg County Library of Kingstree. The orientation was by all means successful according to Cason. "This is a new program with opportunities to help a senior or disabled person remain living at home as long as possible," said Cason. "And we all know there is no place like home." Seven volunteers were trained and received their identification badges and several riders signed up for the service.

Waccamaw Regional Council of Governments (WRCG) developed the program that is funded by the Lieutenant Governor's Office of Aging. WRCG is a regional agency serving county governments, municipalities and citizens of Williamsburg, Georgetown, and Horry counties. The agency offers planning, economic development and social services among other services.

Assisted Rides allows citizens who may not be ready to move to assisted living because they are no longer able to drive. Volunteers with the Assisted Rides Program are free to choose what rides they will give. The scope of the program focuses on getting seniors and disabled to non-emergency trips to doctors and dentist appointments, grocery stores, banks, human service agencies, social activities and more.

The next orientation is scheduled for December 27. For information or to become a volunteer contact Trina Cason at (843) 546-8502, extension 260.