Our Story

The advent of ITNBluegrass™ can be described with words that start with "g": grassroots, guts, grins, Generations, generosity, and "girls with grit." Or perhaps more precisely on the last one: female Baby Boomers with vision and persistence!

In mid-2006, Executive Director Gale Reece came out of a cave – literally. She was newly retired from an underground document and media storage business that she started and ran for 20 years (in a natural limestone cave!). Looking for a challenging project and with a long-standing interest in aging issues, Gale sought advice from Dr. Robynn Pease, who at the time was program administrator for Lexington-Fayette County's Office of Aging Services. Initially focused on elder housing, Gale said, "I soon realized that one of the most pressing issues facing older adults is the need for reliable and affordable transportation." With that, the two did some research and found out about ITNAmerica.

Older adults urgently need reliable and affordable transportation.

Dr. Pease prepared the application, and once it was accepted, Gale was off to raise the funds necessary to start a Bluegrass affiliate. Quickly realizing that raising money is far more enjoyable if you're working with someone else, she hired a small consulting firm in late 2006 to help. This is how she met Laura Dake – now ITNBluegrass' deputy director – who wrote grants and letters, ran meetings, approached businesses for donations, managed events and most importantly, recognized the necessity and value of the sustainable, community-supported ITN approach.

One of the more difficult things Gale and Laura dealt with initially was that almost no one in their area had heard much about the Independent Transportation Network. However, their first fundraiser, the "Generations Tea and Style Show" in February 2006, not only raised money but community awareness as well with some great TV, radio and newspaper coverage.

The tea was a lively and lovely Valentine-themed event with wonderful food and music and 120 guests. Laura emceed the style show, featuring local male and female celebrities of different generations (ages 8-77) modeling clothing from several area boutiques. This year's tea on February 10 featured models from ages 3-83!

By July 2007, "Friends of ITN in the Bluegrass" had raised almost $140,000 and became ITNBluegrass in September 2007. ITNBluegrass is truly a grassroots effort – none of its start-up money came from taxpayer sources. Gale and Laura appreciate the encouragement and generosity of individuals and businesses in the Bluegrass as well as three foundations – the Knight and Great Bay Foundations and The Retirement Research Foundation in Chicago (which awarded the affiliate $50,000).

And now a final "g:" government. In order to begin service, Gale and Laura are seeking an exemption to a Kentucky statute (KRS 281.605) which regulates vehicles for hire. The current law – which was brought to their attention after they had raised their startup money – requires that drivers for hire use vehicles owned and insured by the organization or "certificate holder." This creates an impossible situation: volunteer drivers could not drive their own vehicles, which would not allow the Bluegrass affiliate to reach economic sustainability.

It has been quite a journey over the past eight months, and at the moment, the mood is hopeful! The bill (HB204), sponsored by Rep. Susan Westrom (D-Lexington), passed the Kentucky House 95-0 on February 7 and is currently in the Senate Transportation Committee. With any luck, the bill will be voted on favorably in committee and sent to the Senate floor by the end of March. In anticipation, Gale and Laura are meeting with senators and encouraging interested citizens to write letters supporting the exemption. If the exemption is granted, ITNBluegrass looks forward to offering rides in July 2008. Update.

To find out how you can support the nonprofit service by becoming a charter member, volunteering, donating a vehicle or money or being a voice for change, please call Gale or Laura at (859) 252-8665 or send an email to info@ITNBluegrass.org.