Driving Change Circles
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Hello my name is Meighan Cole
What inspired me to write this go fund me page for Operation Drive a non profit transportation organization. Was the amount of phone calls that were recieved from people who had limited or no access to transportation rides. Operation Drive was developed out of necessity to assist residents in suburban IL. where services do not exist, and where people often have no other options for their means of transportation.
Mr. Smith was the caller that changed the hearts of our organization, and where we intended for our services to go intially.
It was a call from Mr. Smith a senior citizen from Yorkville, IL practically in tears that he could not locate transportation for his spouse Mrs. Smith. During the transportation intake call with Mike I learned that he had a storke, and was no longer able to drive to his most critical appointments. The call lasted roughly an hour, and I was informed by Mr. Smith that his wife had a rare disorder called Blephorspasm; a disorder that causes involuntary closing of eyelids and could lead to functional blindness. In the course of having this conversation I thought this reminds me of a time when I struggled to locate transportation for my grandmother who had a storke, and no one would transport her. The sole purpose of starting a transportation company was based on facts, and the life I lived for many years. Mr. Smith phone call opened my eyes to see that there was still a need for such services.
Mr. Smith continued on, and he said I will pay you whatever you want I just want my wife safe & sound to her doctor appointments. He said you just what we have been looking for, but our county don't offer weekend trips or special event trips. A thought ran right through my mind that I could do this service as a charity apart from the regular transportation that I do daily. I told myself you never know who you may encounter or who's life you may change from a simple ride.
I gave Mike reassurance that his wife would be safe with me, and I could help them out on the weekend, and special event appointments. I assured Mr. Smith that it would not be a arm and leg for these services because I wanted to help as much as I could.
My first ride with Mrs. Smith I learned all about blepharospasm, and how she found out she had the disorder. In talking to her I learned so much about the rare disorder I wanted to know more. So when I drive her to her appointment there was about an hour wait; I began to research to understand my client situations. Although Mr. Smith had given me the information I still didn't understand. However talking to Mrs. Smith and seeing her made things a lot clearer, and easier to comprehend.
Never in a thousands years would I think someone so young (mid 50s) could have something so tragic happen to them. As I began to ponder, and research her disorder I learned that it has already affected about 200,000 in the US population. After, vewing the statistics and numbers I began to think that if I could change one woman's life just by offering a transportation ride to her specialist I could change the lives of many.
We declined over 100 senior citizens, children, persons with special needs,veterans, and low income families that were medicaid recipients critical transportation to their most important appointments. Due to the lack of funding through the state, and no insurance coverage. I felt bad I had flashbacks of when I could not find the resources or rides for my grandmother. I knew there was something I could do, and I promised to make a difference to help bridge the gap.
After carefully thinking about all the sacrifices I had to make for my grandmother, and how I was I still able to make sacrifices for people that stories touched my heart. I formed this non-profit organization to combat the transportation crisis for the most vulnerable people in IL. our Seniors, veterans, persons with special needs, low income families, and more disadvantaged populations.
Operation DRIVE no longer wants to decline any person with disabilities, seniors, disadvantaged families transportation rides nor do we want to see a displaced family struggle without having food in their homes.
My goal for our organization is to help restore the quality of life of people so they can have the same opportunity to live a life of independence, and freedom. Through a vital service such as transportation this program will help many that may feel isolated, depressed and left alone feel as though they are a part of today's society.
Please help Operation Drive provide safe, relaible, transportation rides. For every $100 donated we can provide 6 less fortunate people a ride to their most critical appointments.
Please help us provide safe, affordable, private transportation rides to, and from food programs, and doctor's appointments to assist vulnerable people that are often left behind.
Operation DRIVE wants to Thank you for your support in Advance!
Read more on Mrs. Smith testimonal online @ www.operationdrivenfp.org
"My goal is to live a life in such a way that when I die, someone can say, we cared." Mary Kay Ash
With Gracious Regards,
Meighan Cole Founder
What inspired me to write this go fund me page for Operation Drive a non profit transportation organization. Was the amount of phone calls that were recieved from people who had limited or no access to transportation rides. Operation Drive was developed out of necessity to assist residents in suburban IL. where services do not exist, and where people often have no other options for their means of transportation.
Mr. Smith was the caller that changed the hearts of our organization, and where we intended for our services to go intially.
It was a call from Mr. Smith a senior citizen from Yorkville, IL practically in tears that he could not locate transportation for his spouse Mrs. Smith. During the transportation intake call with Mike I learned that he had a storke, and was no longer able to drive to his most critical appointments. The call lasted roughly an hour, and I was informed by Mr. Smith that his wife had a rare disorder called Blephorspasm; a disorder that causes involuntary closing of eyelids and could lead to functional blindness. In the course of having this conversation I thought this reminds me of a time when I struggled to locate transportation for my grandmother who had a storke, and no one would transport her. The sole purpose of starting a transportation company was based on facts, and the life I lived for many years. Mr. Smith phone call opened my eyes to see that there was still a need for such services.
Mr. Smith continued on, and he said I will pay you whatever you want I just want my wife safe & sound to her doctor appointments. He said you just what we have been looking for, but our county don't offer weekend trips or special event trips. A thought ran right through my mind that I could do this service as a charity apart from the regular transportation that I do daily. I told myself you never know who you may encounter or who's life you may change from a simple ride.
I gave Mike reassurance that his wife would be safe with me, and I could help them out on the weekend, and special event appointments. I assured Mr. Smith that it would not be a arm and leg for these services because I wanted to help as much as I could.
My first ride with Mrs. Smith I learned all about blepharospasm, and how she found out she had the disorder. In talking to her I learned so much about the rare disorder I wanted to know more. So when I drive her to her appointment there was about an hour wait; I began to research to understand my client situations. Although Mr. Smith had given me the information I still didn't understand. However talking to Mrs. Smith and seeing her made things a lot clearer, and easier to comprehend.
Never in a thousands years would I think someone so young (mid 50s) could have something so tragic happen to them. As I began to ponder, and research her disorder I learned that it has already affected about 200,000 in the US population. After, vewing the statistics and numbers I began to think that if I could change one woman's life just by offering a transportation ride to her specialist I could change the lives of many.
We declined over 100 senior citizens, children, persons with special needs,veterans, and low income families that were medicaid recipients critical transportation to their most important appointments. Due to the lack of funding through the state, and no insurance coverage. I felt bad I had flashbacks of when I could not find the resources or rides for my grandmother. I knew there was something I could do, and I promised to make a difference to help bridge the gap.
After carefully thinking about all the sacrifices I had to make for my grandmother, and how I was I still able to make sacrifices for people that stories touched my heart. I formed this non-profit organization to combat the transportation crisis for the most vulnerable people in IL. our Seniors, veterans, persons with special needs, low income families, and more disadvantaged populations.
Operation DRIVE no longer wants to decline any person with disabilities, seniors, disadvantaged families transportation rides nor do we want to see a displaced family struggle without having food in their homes.
My goal for our organization is to help restore the quality of life of people so they can have the same opportunity to live a life of independence, and freedom. Through a vital service such as transportation this program will help many that may feel isolated, depressed and left alone feel as though they are a part of today's society.
Please help Operation Drive provide safe, relaible, transportation rides. For every $100 donated we can provide 6 less fortunate people a ride to their most critical appointments.
Please help us provide safe, affordable, private transportation rides to, and from food programs, and doctor's appointments to assist vulnerable people that are often left behind.
Operation DRIVE wants to Thank you for your support in Advance!
Read more on Mrs. Smith testimonal online @ www.operationdrivenfp.org
"My goal is to live a life in such a way that when I die, someone can say, we cared." Mary Kay Ash
With Gracious Regards,
Meighan Cole Founder
Operation Drive
Organizer
Meighan Cole
Organizer
Oswego, IL