At the South Carolina Aging in Place Coalition’s forth quarter meeting, ITNCharlestonTrident recognized SCAIP members who participated as volunteer drivers in 2009.

ITNCharlestonTrident has received a huge amount of community support from the South Carolina Aging in Place Coalition (SCAIP), through their promise for members to provide a minimum of two rides a month over a twelve-month period. SCAIP also promotes the donation of office supplies and equipment and used automobiles from other organizations, and encourages individuals and organizations to volunteer as drivers as well. The following SCAIP members have participated as volunteer drivers during the past twelve months:

* Barbara Franklin – Franklin & Associates
* David Heilman – Franklin Funding
* Dawna Nicklaus – Charleston Silver Service
* Dick Giffen – ITN Volunteer
* Elizabeth H. Willis – Roper St. Francis Healthcare
* Janet Schumacher – Mayor’s Office on Aging
* Jennifer Humphrey – Seaside Senior Services
* Kesha Wall-Graham – Hospice of Charleston
* Mary Ross McQuage – Aging Resources
* Maureen Maguire – Seniors Choice
* Nancy Holbach – Office of Dr. John Kleckley
* Paul Franklin – Franklin Funding
* Steven Lewis – Horizon Home Care
* Terry Brown – Franklin Funding
* Tom Sweeny – Charleston Business Brokers
* Vicky Ingalls – The ARK
* Wendy Weisner – Lowcountry Companions

ITNCharlestonTrident invited twenty-five organizations and individuals to their donor recognition breakfast, held Wednesday, Oct. 28, as an opportunity to commend them on their hard work since beginning its dignified transportation service in 2006. The Gold Level Presidential Volunteer Service Award, consisting of a golden eagle pin as well as a letter of commendation from President Obama, was presented to volunteer driver Wood Struthers for his more than 1700 hours of volunteer service, and over 600 rides since 2008.

The special morning also recorded ITNCharlestonTrident’s 17,000th ride since beginning its service, and Board Chair Terry Brown spoke to the donors and volunteers about his appreciation for their support, emphasizing their key role in maintaining ITN’s ability to provide an efficient and cost effective service for member riders. With the combined efforts of volunteer drivers and financial donations from the community, Brown explained that ITNCharelstonTrident is able to provide their dignified service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for less than half of the actual cost of delivering the ride itself.

The group also heard from John Panagiotou, whose mother regularly used ITN’s services for medical appointments before she passed away in October. Panagiotou explained how important ITN is to the members riders and their families. Volunteer drivers were able to share fond memories of Panagiotou’s mother with whom they had built a strong bond traveling together to and from her destinations.

The recognition event was completely underwritten by members of the ITN Board of Directors. Credit is given to the following Board members and volunteers for their exceptional support of the recognition breakfast; Terry Brown (Board Chair), Paul Franklin (Board member and Financial Development Committee Chair), Barbara Franklin (Volunteer Committee Chair), Elizabeth Brown (Marketing and Public Relations Chair) and JoAnne Penington (Volunteer support staff).

The following is a complete list of the organizations and individuals recognized during the event:

ITN Major Donors

• Association for the Blind
• Bakker Family Fund
• Barbara Camera
• Charleston County Council
• Charleston County Medical Society Alliance
• Christ Our King Catholic Church
• City of Charleston
• City of North Charleston
• Coastal Community Foundation
• Dave Neff
• East Cooper Regional Medical Center
• InterTech Group Foundation
• J. Henry Stuhr Incorporated
• Jerry and Anita Zucker Family Endowment Fund
• JoAnne Penington
• Lowcountry Senior Network
• Medical University of South Carolina
• Paul and Barbara Franklin
• Roper Saint Francis Healthcare
• Terrance and Elizabeth Brown
• Town of Mount Pleasant
• Trident Area Agency on Aging
• Trident United Way

ITN In-Kind Contributors

• Harold Arnold’s Sentry Buick
• South Carolina Aging In Place Coalition