MAC’s Safe Ride, the local service that provides a safe alternative means of late-night transportation, is in need of volunteer drivers and navigators for its two service vans.
“In keeping people who have been drinking off the roads, MAC’s Safe Ride is keeping them and everyone else safe,” said co-founder Gisele Kress.
“One decision, one moment can ruin lives. So one night of volunteering can make a difference in saving lives.”
While the group has 150 volunteers, a core group of 15 to 20 people do most of the driving.
“People can get burned out. And right now there are a lot of holes to fill in the schedule,” Kress said.
A calendar of open dates can be viewed at http://www.macssaferide.com/macs_volunteer.html. You can sign up by emailing macs369.8121@gmail.com or by calling (315) 369-8121.
Mac’s Safe Ride operates seven days a week 8 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. through Labor Day, and on weekends thereafter.
A training session for new volunteers will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, August 13 at the organization’s offices in the Webb Building located at the corner of Sheard and Main Streets in Old Forge.
The training will last about 20 minutes and refreshments will be served.
In operation 140 nights throughout the year, the two MAC’s Safe Ride vans have provided transportation to 3,000 people since Memorial Day.
According to Kress, the total for the year so far is 3,700, double what it was last year at this time.
In addition to helping keep the roadways safe, the organization has brought information on the impacts of drinking and driving to area schools.
The organization also co-sponsored the Town of Webb School’s after-prom party at Calypso’s Cove and worked with the county to bring its defensive driving course to Old Forge.
Kress reports that MAC’s is becoming known in other towns for offering this service.
“It’s a community effort, and there is a strong sense of community here,” she said.
The organization is run by a board and includes members Travis and Chip Keifer, Val Risley, Carol Perkins, Roger Parent, Beth Tickner, Gisele Kress, Felicity Davey, John Russell, Kelly Greene, and Tim Foley.
MAC’s Safe Ride has been in operation since January 1, 2011, a little over a year following a drunk driving accident that took the lives of two local young men, Matt Girouard and Craig Sears, who the organization is named after.
