Arlington Hts.-based Senior ride service celebrates milestone

Escorted Transportation Service/Northwest provided its 15,000th ride March 4, all by volunteer drivers.

“We are so excited about this significant milestone for ETS/NW,” said Karen Hansen, Arlington Heights Senior Center manager, “I’m delighted to have them based here at the senior center. The ETS/NW organization greatly enhances the wide variety of services we provide to our community’s seniors.”

The organization currently has more than 75 volunteer drivers, providing far more than the 30 rides a month initially anticipated.

“We just wanted to try and help our community’s seniors get to their medical appointments,” said Chief Operations Officer Kathy Kasprowicz of the not-for-profit organization’s early days.

“I started volunteering for ETS/NW in 2006 because I really enjoy people from the World War II generation,” said David “Sully” Sullivan of Arlington Heights, 2012 ETS/NW Volunteer of the Year.

“I want to make a difference, firsthand, to people in my community,” said Ron Boe of Arlington Heights, a six-year volunteer. “I’ve always enjoyed the company of older people — they’re easy for me to communicate with. … These are people who really need my help, and boy, do they appreciate it.”

“I love being a volunteer driver for ETS/NW,” said ETS/NW “Marie Payes Award” winner Marilynn Tonn of Palatine. She not only volunteers as a driver, but also as support staff in the office. “I’ve met the most incredible people who’ve had such interesting lives. They love to talk and I love engaging with them.”