A good program deserving of help

At the recent U.S. Conference of Mayors, Village President Arlene Mulder requested more support for local transit. Hopefully, some of the upcoming Community Development Block Grant funds will be used to support Escorted Transportation Service Northwest, an organization currently providing an average of 200 rides a month for seniors to get to doctor, dentist and other medical appointments.

Trained volunteers use their own cars and fuel to transport seniors to their appointment, wait with them, stop at the pharmacy if needed, and deliver them safely home. A $12 fee for the round trip ride helps offset the salary of a single coordinator who fields hundreds of call each month to link the volunteer and client.

This assistance is just another way that seniors are able to age-in-place, in their home and in their community. The senior is not the only one who benefits from the program. Adult children do not have to take personal time from their jobs for Mom or Dad's medical appointments, a real plus in today's frightening economy and workplace.

ETS/NW is a good example of a program that would benefit from minimal public funding, giving lots of bang for the buck, not only in Arlington Heights but throughout the Northwest suburbs.

In difficult economic times it's important to recognize the strength of volunteers serving their fellow neighbors. This is prime example of the City of Good Neighbors.

Carol Serrani Anderson

Arlington Heights