Dan Stein, a beloved friend and longtime AgeWell Rides volunteer (and longtime volunteer at the Food Pantry as well), was killed on October 27th at the Tree of Life. In his honor and memory, the Dan Stein Agewell Rides Driver of the Year Award was established, that we might always remember this kind and giving man who was taken from us so tragically.
At the Annual Meeting, Ellen Leger, JFCS coordinator of the AgeWell Rides program, stepped forward to remember Dan. “He was cheerful, reliable, easy going and patient. Over the years he volunteered almost 800 hours and drove over 2700 miles…Dan and I talked on the phone each week; He was the backbone of our program from its earliest beginnings and I owe him a debt of gratitude for helping me to make AgeWell Rides really work.”
She then presented the award to Ronna Scoratow, noting that in the last two and a half years, Ronna had volunteered over 230 hours and driven over 1130 miles to about 300 local appointments.
Ronna often goes above and beyond her driving assignments, waiting with seniors in Dr.’s offices, going shopping at thrift stores, taking seniors out to lunch and the movies, and even just on joy rides for fun. Thanks to Ronna and others like her, qualifying seniors no longer are stuck waiting for a bus in the winter, or at home because they no longer drive.
The presentation of this award was made extra special because Dan Stein’s wife Sharyn, daughter Leigh, and son Joe attended to make the presentation in person. We are honored to have counted Dan Stein as our dear friend, and will miss him.
Photo: Leigh Stein, Ronna Scaratow, Sharyn Stein
Photos: Erica Dietz: ericadietzphotography.com