|
VTC Adjusts Mileage Reimbursement Rate in Response to
Soaring Gas Prices
Published: March 15, 2022 at
08:15 a.m.
By: Press Release from Volunteer Transportation
Center
VTC Adjusts Mileage Reimbursement Rate in Response to
Soaring Gas Prices
Charitable Mileage Rate for Volunteer Drivers
Increases 12%
(WATERTOWN, NY) –
The Volunteer Transportation Center, Inc. (VTC) has increased its mileage
reimbursement rate for volunteer drivers transporting clients under its
charitable programs. The increase was made in response to the current
increase in fuel prices being seen across the nation.
VTC Executive
Director Sam Purington said the rate has increased from $0.445 per mile to
$0.50 per mile. The increase went into effect March 4.
“We recognized
the hardship that I think we’re all facing as gas prices increase and
wanted to do something to at least take off some of the burden for our
dedicated volunteer drivers,” said Mr. Purington.
Volunteer drivers
donate their time and use their personal vehicles to drive those with transportation
barriers in the community to crucial medical appointments. Volunteers
receive mileage reimbursement, meant to assist with the overall cost of
operating their vehicles, including repairs, insurance
and other expenses, including gas they use to complete trips.
The VTC recently
completed its review of transportation services provided in 2021 and it was
found this was the first year in the VTC’s existence that more than
1,000,000 miles of charitable transportation was provided for the tri-county
area.
“While we
recognize the need to increase our charitable mileage reimbursement rate,
we understand that presents a greater challenge for our fundraising,” said
Mr. Purington.
Jeremiah S.
Papineau, Director of Communications and Foundation Director for the VTC,
noted the 1,073,435 miles of charitable transportation the VTC provided
last year in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence Counties equated to
$477,679 in mileage reimbursement.
“While we
reached a milestone of providing 1,000,000 miles of charitable
transportation, we also reached a milestone when it came to mileage
reimbursement disbursed to our volunteer drivers,” said Mr. Papineau. “As
we see the trend of transportation needs continue to increase pair with an
increase in our charitable mileage reimbursement rate, we know our
fundraising challenges only grow.”
Charitable
transportation is provided through donations from the community and
fundraisers held by the VTC’s counterpart, the Volunteer Transportation
Center Foundation. Most recently, the VTC Foundation hosted the North
Country Chili Cook-Off, which saw approximately $28,000 raised. While the
majority of the foundation’s fundraisers are held to raise money for
mileage reimbursement for all charitable program trips provided, the Chili
Cook-Off is the only VTC Foundation fundraiser that earmarks its proceeds
to help a particular client base it serves – veterans and their family
members. Additional fundraisers include the foundation’s annual Posh Purse
Palooza, St. Lawrence County Golf Tournament, Shootin’
Trap for Trips Trap Shoot, and Jefferson-Lewis Golf Tournament.
While the
foundation continuously works to raise funds for the VTC, Mr. Purington
said the anticipated challenge the increased mileage reimbursement rate
will cause might mean more belt-tightening.
“We’re
investigating temporarily limiting services, providing essential-only trips
like those to cancer treatment, dialysis and other life-sustaining
services,” he said. “It’s not something we want to do but we have to
provide services within our means as we face this financial challenge.”
That decision is
one that will be reviewed and decided upon at a date to be determined, Mr.
Purington added.
Those interested
in making a donation to support the VTC may do so
by reaching out to Mr. Papineau at 315-303-2590 or by email at foundation@volunteertransportation.org
. Donations may be mailed in care of the Volunteer Transportation
Center Foundation to 24685 State Route 37, Watertown N.Y. 13601. The VTC
Foundation is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization, meaning donations are
tax-deductible to the greatest extent of the law.
ABOUT THE
VOLUNTEER TRANSPORTATION CENTER
The Volunteer
Transportation Center, Inc. (VTC), established in 1991, drives thousands of
miles each year assisting community members in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence Counties and beyond. Over the
last 30 years, this essential non-profit organization has provided rides to
health care appointments, food sources and other critical needs
destinations for residents.
In 2021, our
volunteer drivers provided 26,711 charitable trips over 1,073,435 miles in
Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence Counties. Of those miles, 470,002 helped
those in Jefferson County, 151,954
in Lewis County, and 451,479 in St. Lawrence County. That equated to
approximately $477,679 in mileage reimbursement for our volunteers.
The staff, Board
of Directors and volunteer drivers look forward to a time when
transportation to community activities and services is accessible to all
North Country residents regardless of economic or specialized needs. But
for now the mission drives on — striving to
provide transportation to health, wellness and critical needs destinations
utilizing volunteers and mobility management for anyone who has barriers to
transportation.
For more
information about how you can help the Volunteer Transportation Center,
about its upcoming events, or to become a volunteer driver, contact the
agency in Jefferson and Lewis Counties at 315-788-0422, in St. Lawrence
County at 315-714-2034, in Oswego County at 315-694-6644, or Western New
York at 585-250-5030. Volunteers drive their own cars, set their own hours and receive mileage reimbursement but, more
importantly, make a difference in the community. To learn more, visit www.volunteertransportationcenter.org
.
|
