Middletown center boosting fleet to help seniors with thousands of needed trips per year

Central Connections Executive Director Monica Smith hopes three vans recently purchased will assist in transporting seniors throughout the area, and ease the wear and tear on existing vehicles in the fleet.

Smith said every Monday through Friday the fleet of eight vans transports more than 400 older adults and people with disabilities to medical and nonmedical destinations within Middletown, Monroe, Trenton, Madison Twp., and Franklin.

One of those is Middletown resident Ada Lewis, who said she would be “lost” without transportation provided by Middletown’s senior center.

“I would be stuck with no way to get around,” said Lewis, who uses Transportation Services at Central Connections five days a week to come to the senior center, doctor appointments, beauty parlor and grocery store. “I love the service.”

In May the senior center added to its fleet three vans that were awarded in 2018 under a capital grant from 49 USC Section 5310 of the Federal Transit Act, according to Smith.

The three 2019 Dodge Grand Caravans with Braun ADA Entervan Conversions are modified minivans outfitted with hydraulic lifts and powered ramps, center fold seats and oxygen tank systems, according to Smith.

The grant stipulates that Central Connections raise matching funds to receive the vehicles. Central Connections is asking the greater Middletown community to help raise the matching funds, Smith said.

Last year, Smith said, Transportation Services at Central Connections provided more than 13,000 medical and nonmedical trips, with an average of 1,084 trips per month. Of those trips, 89 percent were in Middletown zip codes, she said.

Central Connections accepts donations toward Transportation Services at Central Connections by cash, credit card or a check payable to Central Connections. Donations can be dropped off at Central Connections, 3907 Central Ave., Middletown, OH 45044. All donations are tax-deductible.

For more information, call Central Connections, 513-423-1734.

About the Author