Volunteer lauded for driving seniors

Bob Schwermer of Arlington Heights has a growing fan club.

Seniors living throughout the Northwest suburbs know they can depend on him to get them to their medical and dental appointments.

Schwermer is a dedicated volunteer for the Escorted Transportation Services, based out of the Arlington Heights Senior Center. Its officials think so much of Schwermer, they named him their Northwest suburban "Volunteer of the Year" for his work through all of last year.

"Bob Schwermer is a remarkable retiree," said Kathy Kasprowicz, who directs the program, which was started by Lutheran Home & Services but relocated to the senior center last year.

"He is most generous with his time, usually driving several days each week, and sometimes twice in the same day," she said. "He is one of the few volunteers willing to drive to downtown Chicago when a specialist is needed, or to the VA hospitals in Zion or Maywood."

While the service is intended to make sure seniors get to their medical and dental appointments, drivers like Schwermer are known to stop by the lending closet to pick up a walker, swing by the pharmacy to collect a prescription, or even return a book to the library.

A $10 contribution per ride is suggested, although no senior will be denied a ride based on their ability to pay, Kasprowicz said.

Once the program left Lutheran Services, it went through the process of becoming a nonprofit agency, and began offering rides out of the senior center in September 2006. In its first six months, volunteers provided 450 rides, Kasprowicz said.

"It's provided a wonderful service," said Karen Hansen, Arlington Heights Senior Center director.

Schwermer himself provided 187 round trip rides, through 2007, which qualified him as the top volunteer and worthy of recognition.

"His positive attitude is inspiring," Kasprowicz said. "He never says no."