January 2025
David Smith – President
It is with mixed emotions that I write this annual review, since for many years it has been done by Tony Castiglie, our long-time friend, Treasurer and Vice President. The Board, our volunteers and many patients miss him every day. A new member (Paul Marvin) has joined the Board and various Board activities have been reviewed and some reassigned.
2024 was another year of growth in demand for our services, and you certainly responded with unprecedented grace; out of 6,405 requests, 77 Volunteers ran 4053 missions carrying 6517 patients and caregivers. We were also able to provide 235 Uber rides for patients using donations and grant funding.
Financially, we are in good shape and have been successful in maintaining 12-24 months of operating costs in the bank. We’ve been able (and will continue) to fund Ubers for patients, gas cards for volunteers doing the most driving, volunteer events, and website/mission system improvements.
In 2024 we saw a new & improved website (Thank you webmaster Derek King and the Rotary Club donation) and we are currently implementing a new Mission Management System. These upgrades are necessary to keep up to date and to handle our increasing activity level.
The Board continues to meet every two months with our primary objectives being the health of the operation, finances, and current / future challenges. The heart and soul of our organization has always been the volunteers – and we currently have fewer volunteers taking more Missions on average than ever before. So, our focus this year will be recruiting new and re-energizing our inactive volunteers, along with retaining current ones. Just one ride makes a difference in a patient’s treatment journey! You will soon be seeing more information from us, along with how each of us can play a role.
We will continue to organize volunteer events this year like the summer BBQ, Christmas party and volunteer coffees. It is encouraging to see everyone that makes up this great organization!
Thank you to all for your contribution and wishing all of you a happy, healthy and prosperous 2025.
Sincerely,
David