by Dennis King

Lahari Executive Director

It’s been two years since Orcas Door-to-Door provided its first ride to a senior needing to go to a medical appointment. Since then, the service has provided nearly a thousand rides to Orcas seniors needing to get to medical and physical therapy appointments, needing to do errands in town or to attend community events.

Orcas Door-to-Door has operated as an internal program within Lahari, with Lahari’s executive director assuming the role of the program coordinator, and Lahari funding the entire program. In planning to meet long-term sustainability, Lahari now wishes to pilot the program as a “stand-alone” service and reduce the program’s operating costs down to a level sustainable with community and rider donations as well as business sponsors.

Lahari is seeking a part-time program coordinator to run Orcas Door-to-Door. The new coordinator will be responsible for operation of the program, including recruiting and retaining volunteer drivers, promoting and enrolling members in need of on-island rides, as well as participating in fundraising activities. Applications for the position will be accepted until May 17, and the successful applicant must be available to start in June. Job description and online application available at https://oicf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create?grant_id=5876.

Lahari has invested in our community by providing the startup funds necessary to develop and launch this assistive transportation service. Now Lahari is asking for community support to help continue the program.

Orcas Door-to-Door is participating in the Orcas Island Community Foundation’s annual GiveOrcas campaign. If you’d like to help to keep our seniors getting to their medical appointments, errands and social events, please consider donating at https://oicf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create?grant_id=5876.