Reston Community Center received the state-wide award for Best New Program at the 62nd Annual Conference of the Virginia Recreation and Park Society (VRPS) held November 5 – 8 in Roanoke, Virginia. RCC Rides was honored in the category of areas with a population 50,001 – 100,000.
“We are honored to receive this award but we would not be successful without our volunteer drivers,” said Eileen Boone, RCC Leisure & Learning Director. “Our volunteers are the heroes of this program and we thank them for their commitment and passion.”
RCC Rides provides door-to-door rides to help get older adults to important engagements, ranging from RCC’s social and enrichment activities to medical appointments. Ride services are provided exclusively by volunteer drivers, free of charge, to anyone age 55 or older who resides in Reston Community Center’s Small District 5 boundaries. Since launching in July 2015, this innovative program has given 1,094 rides to Reston adults 55 years and older who cannot drive. Ride destinations vary but the majority of them are in or around Reston. More than 147 riders and 43 drivers are now a part of the Reston program.
RCC continues to seek drivers to help meet the rider needs in Reston. All volunteer driver applicants undergo a thorough DMV and background check paid for by NV Rides.
Interested volunteer drivers can apply immediately by going to www.restoncommunitycenter.com/about-reston/nv-rides-reston/become-a-driver. For more information about RCC Rides, please contact Ali Clements, RCC Rides Coordinator, at 703-390-6198 or ali.clements@fairfaxcounty.gov, or visit www.restoncommunitycenter.com/RCCrides.
Each year, VRPS honors individuals, departments and organizations throughout Virginia who have demonstrated excellence in any of several areas during the previous year.