I just have to write and say a few words about the STEP van. Sometimes I drive myself to Messiah Senior Center for square dancing and to play Bingo, and sometimes I ride the STEP van. It's enjoyable because you meet some wonderful people and the drivers. Some drivers are just great. I have my favorites, No. 4 and No. 6. They just go out of their way to assist you and they make your ride so pleasant. Now on the other hand, the 5 percent that shouldn't be behind the wheel are very lazy and have no respect for the elderly. Some of them sit in their driver's seat and won't help a woman with a walker or go see if the person needs help down from their house to the van.
Common sense is all it takes but some drivers haven't got it. I seen some things I wouldn't talk about because jobs are hard to come by, but you 5 percent know who you are. Would it hurt you to take a few minutes to help an elderly person.
STEP is a wonderful program and it's a shame there are a few rotten apples. For one thing, they are stressed out most of the time because their schedules are amazing. How can you pick up three people at 9:15 a.m. at the same time? One at South Side, one at Four Mile Drive and another at Montoursville, all going somewhere different. That's stress. I sure am happy when the van pulls up and it's someone that's going to be pleasant and help the elderly, No. 6 and No. 4 and others that I don't know their numbers, work hard especially when they have wheelchairs to contend with.
I'm in good shape and can help myself but keep in mind, you 5 percent, you can be replaced. So many of the elderly are afraid to report an incident. If they all would, you 5 percent would be in trouble. I've seen the good drivers get out six or seven times to give a helping hand. All in all, the program is wonderful, the price is great the way gas prices are. Keep up the great work, No. 4 and No. 6. You have many friends.
Donna J. Lambert
South Williamsport
