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Spreading CHEER on the backroads of Sussex

Bus service is lifeline for many seniors who don't drive
February 26, 2017

It's 8 a.m. and time to get on the CHEER bus to the Georgetown activity center. It's a ritual repeated each weekday at locations throughout Sussex County.

A fleet of 15 buses is in action transporting seniors to seven centers as well as an adult day-care center in Georgetown.

The bus is a lifeline to those who use it as their only source of transportation not only to the center but to stores, the pharmacy and medical appointments. The transportation service also offers day trips once a week.

And those who ride are much more than passengers. They become almost as close as family members.

Riders are only required to make a $1 donation for their ride, and that's only if they can afford it. It costs $25 a year to join CHEER.

Driver Tammy Bryant, who has been driving for five years, says the riders really care about one another. “And they really look forward to coming on the bus.”

Each day is an adventure as one by one the Georgetown gang boards the bus. Forget about what events are scheduled at the CHEER center, the real action takes place on the bus ride.

First to get on is the alleged ringleader of the group, Tom Jones. Throughout the nearly two-hour, 50-mile ride on the backroads of the Georgetown-Millsboro area, he keeps everyone entertained and jokes with two brothers, Joe and Charles Donovan, who live in a converted country schoolhouse.

He admits he's the troublemaker on the bus, and no one disagrees. “But really I'm a sweetheart,” he says.

He tells the brothers he has bad news for one of their friends at the center who he shops for. “I will have to break it to him that the price of gummy bears went up 26 cents,” he said.

Jones keeps the brothers on their toes asking them about girlfriends and distinguishing cows from horses. Laughter fills the bus, making the ride seem shorter than it really is.

He also announces to everyone that he is going to win all the bingo prizes.

They talk about the weather, socialize with one another, share memories, update each other on ill friends and talk about what's for lunch.

Bryant said time and time again once they get on the bus, seniors who have felt isolated have come out of their shells. She said it's hard to believe that at one time Jones was quiet and introverted. “But not anymore,” she says with a laugh.

Carolyn O'Neal, CHEER's home services program director, said the transportation service is only one program aimed at keeping seniors in their homes and independent as long as possible. None of those picked up that day still drive.

“With the influx of seniors, transportation is a need that must be addressed,” O'Neal said.

“Taking them to the center helps the families of seniors because they don't have to worry about them,” O'Neal said. “It's stimulation so seniors can still enjoy life.”

“And they are not sitting home in front of the TV all the time,” Bryant adds.

As she gets on the bus, Yvette Harris says, “Everybody needs a little cheer sometimes.”

“That's what we are all about,” O'Neal says with a smile.

At 1:30 p.m., driver Bryant returns to the center and the riders get back on to go home. The next day, Tom Jones and company will board the bus again for another edition of the CHEER trek to the center.

 

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