MEOC Transit News

SERVING LEE, WISE AND SCOTT
COUNTIES, AND THE CITY OF NORTON IN SOUTHWESTERN VIRGINIA

Mountain Empire Older Citizens Inc.

Receives STAR Award for Excellence

Award includes $5,000 for Senior Transportation Services

On August 20, 2009, the Beverly Foundation announced its STAR Awards for Senior Transportation Services. The award program recognizes exceptional service in providing transportation to older adults. One of the Foundation’s prestigious STAR Special Recognition Awards was given to Mountain Empire Older Citizens Inc. The STAR Award recognizes the employment of a mobility manager, the development of a volunteer driver program and MEOC’s commitment to developing and maintaining a seamless and coordinated transportation system for all ages.

The mobility manager, funded by the Department of Rail and Public Transportation’s New Freedom Initiative, has the charge of developing a volunteer policy manual, coordinating medical appointments, and grouping trips for maximum efficiency and economy.

Foundation president Helen Kerschner said: “Our STAR Awards recognize ‘the best of the best’ organizations that provide transportation to older adults. This year we received 450 applications for awards. We congratulate Mountain Empire Older Citizens, Inc. for making an enormous contribution to seniors, their families.”

"This recognition of Mountain Empire Transit comes on the heels of U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood's award in March 2009 to Mountain Empire Older Citizens of the 2008 United We Ride Leadership Award "in recognition of effective public transit human services transportation coordination, planning and implementation." MEOC's Transit Department continues to seek better and more creative ways to serve the citizens of far southwest Virginia, never idly sitting by satisfied with the status quo. Much of what we do at MEOC would be impossible without a strong integrated and coordinated public and health and human services transportation program. For example, we would never have developed MEOC's Adult Day Health Care Centers, Alzheimer's Community Group Respite Centers and Mountain Empire PACE, our newest community based long term care service, without already having Mountain Empire Transit in place. It just would have been too huge a financial and programmatic barrier to do so", said MEOC Executive Director Marilyn Pace Maxwell.

"MEOC Transit will soon be launching its Volunteer Driver Program, another example of leadership in developing a program designed to find ways to address unique and specialized mobility problems of individuals presently without needed transportation", she added.

Delegate Kilgore, Nicky Fleenor, Mobility Manager (center) Marilyn Maxwell, MEOC Executive Director

PRESS RELEASE

Mountain Empire Older Citizens received a Commendation from the House of Delegates on August 28, 2009 offering congratulations for its recent Beverly Foundation Senior Transportation Service Award. This award recognizes the employment of a mobility manager, the development of a volunteer driver program and MEOC’s commitment to developing and maintaining a seamless and coordinated transportation system for all ages. Delegate Terry Kilgore (left) presented the Commendation to Mobility Manager Nicky Fleenor (middle) and Executive Director Marilyn Pace Maxwell (right) on September 15, 2009 at MEOC’s offices in Big Stone Gap. Maxwell stated, “We are thankful that Delegate Kilgore and the Virginia House of Delegates continue to recognize and support the work and mission of MEOC and those we serve. We were very pleased to receive the Beverly Foundation’s Star Award, one of only 10 programs honored nationally. The General Assembly’s acknowledgement of this achievement is deeply appreciated by MEOC”.

MEOC’s Volunteer Driver Program, funded by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation’s New Freedom Initiative, seeks volunteer drivers who are at least 21 years of age to provide transportation to consumers in the Lee, Scott and Wise County area. MEOC will accommodate volunteer drivers by providing them with a flexible schedule, use of an agency vehicle and training.

New Volunteers Diana Vloomer (left) and Carol Huffman (right).
Nicky Fleenor, Mobility Manager (center)

If you are interested in volunteering with the Volunteer Driver Program, please call Nicky Fleenor, Mobility Manager at (276) 523-7433 for more information.

Read and comment on the MERTAC Regional
Transportation Vision HERE.

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The MEOC Transit Employee of the Quarter receives a $50 Wal-Mart Gift Card in appreciation of their hard work. Additionally, the Employee of the Quarter is recognized on a plaque in the Transit Administrative Offices.

Transit Employee of the
Quarter Sought

Do you have a favorite MEOC Transit bus driver? Has an MEOC Transit dispatcher been helpful to you over the phone? If so, we want to know about it! You can nominate any MEOC Transit employee for Employee of the Quarter. Ask your driver for an Employee of the Quarter nomination card, call MEOC Transit at 523-RIDE.

Phone(s):
(276) 523-7433, 1-888-877-6748

TDD Users dial 711 and ask the operator to call (276)523-7433

For more info, click HERE.

Handicapped-Accessible Public Transit Buses for sale, click HERE for details.

MEOC Transit Department
Recognizes Employees
of the Quarter

MEOC Transit began recognizing an “Employee of the Quarter” in October 2006. The Transit Employee of the Quarter is recognized for great attitude and work ethic and is based upon nominations made by other employees, passengers, and the general public.

Billy Spears
Employee of the 1st Quarter

Mountain Empire Transit is pleased to acknowledge Employee of the 1^st quarter (2009), Driver Billy Spears. Billy, of Big Stone Gap, was nominated by MEOC PACE passengers for his courtesy and kindness. A $50.00 Wal-Mart gift card was presented to Billy by MEOC Transit Director, Michael Wampler, pictured above.

Gary Bowman
Employee of the 2nd Quarter

Mountain Empire Transit is pleased to acknowledge Employee of the 2nd quarter (2009), Dispatcher Gary Bowman. Gary, of Big Stone Gap, was nominated by Communications Supervisor Dewayne Bolling for his ability to juggle multiple tasks. Gary also has proven to be a team player and a valuable asset to MEOC. Dewayne presented a $50.00 Wal-Mart gift card to Gary (shown above).

Roger Whited
Employee of the 3rd Quarter

Mountain Empire Transit is pleased to acknowledge Employee of the 3rd quarter (2009), Driver Roger Whited. Roger, of Pennington Gap was nominated by his fellow transit peers for his great personality and “can-do” attitude. Mitch Elliott, Operations Supervisor (right) presented a $50.00 Wal-Mart gift card to Roger (left).