Press Releases

Thursday Night Live in Lexington!

ITNBluegrass board member Sheri Trail-Likoy (background) at the "Thursday Night Live" weekly event benefiting local nonprofits in downtown Lexington. ITN volunteers and staff, including Executive Director Gale Reece and her husband Merrill, poured drinks, made tips to benefit the organization, and most of all, had the opportunity to tell attendees about the service.

Volunteer Training: Please join us!

Please join us for ITNBluegrass Volunteer Driver Training on Saturday, Aug. 9 from 8:30-10:30 a.m.;
Monday, Aug. 18 from 8:30-10:30 a.m.; or Thursday, Aug. 28 from 10 a.m.-noon.
Learn all about the Independent Transportation Network, the people we serve, and our mission to provide dignified transportation for seniors. Flexible schedules, and the best opportunity to meet some of the most interesting people in our community!

ITNBluegrass is patriotic!

Deputy Director Laura Dake at the Fourth of July parade

It was a soggy July 4th morning in Lexington, Kentucky, but that didn't dampen the spirits of the ladies from ITNBluegrass! Runners participating in the early morning "Bluegrass 10,000" and dozens of vendors and non-profits setting up their booths braved the rain, the latter group huddled under tents waving to the runners and each other.

About 11 a.m., the rain stopped and the day brightened, and many more people streamed downtown to enjoy Lexington's annual festivities celebrating our nation's independence, including concerts, children's activities, food, arts and crafts and a parade followed in the evening by a large fireworks display. ITNBluegrass staff Gale Reece and Laura Dake and board member Donna Baker managed the ITN booth handing out brochures as well as information on upcoming volunteer driver trainings.

Two observations:

Very few people picked up ride brochures for themselves, suggesting that some people might not have come to the Fourth festivities due to lack of transportation. (There is a fair amount of walking as well.)
Our challenge will definitely be getting volunteer drivers, not riders!

If you are interested in a unique volunteer opportunity and making a difference in the quality of someone's life, please give us a call or send us an e-mail! We need YOU!

Governor Steve Beshear signing House Bill 204.

Governor Steve Beshear signing House Bill 204

The 2008 regular session considered 1,030 bills. Of that number, 61 Senate bills and 120 House bills passed both chambers -- a 17.5% pass rate.

Back row (l to r): Roger Parry, ITNBluegrass board member; Merrill Reece; Jeff Koonce, ITNBluegrass board member; Don Ball, Ball Homes; John Sammonds, Director, Franklin Co. Senior Citizens Center; Deborah Anderson, Commissioner, Dept. of Aging & Independent Living, Cabinet for Health & Family Services; Miles Phelps; Bill Dake; Mary Crowley-Schmidt, Asst. Director/Homecare Coord., Bluegrass Area Agency on Aging; Laura Dake, ITNBluegrass Deputy Director; Helen Evans

Front along desk (l to r): Jimmy, Janet and Julia Dake; Gov. Steve Beshear; ITNBluegrass Director Gale Reece and grandson Andrew Warburton; Rep. Susan Westrom (sponsor of the bill)

Last hurdle cleared for ITNBluegrass.

Rep. Susan Westrom (left), with ITNBluegrass Executive Director Gale Reece

ITNAmerica is pleased to announce that the proposed legislation (House Bill 204) ensuring that ITNBluegrass will be exempt from current laws regarding livery licensing was passed by the Kentucky State Senate on April 15 at 10:43 p.m.– the very last day of the session. This is a critical step toward ITNBluegrass becoming operational.

Without approval of the bill, volunteer drivers would not have been able to drive their own cars. This would have been an impossible situation for a service that relies on volunteers to keep the cost of rides affordable to seniors and those with visual impairments.

ITNBluegrass will arrange a ceremonial signing with Governor Beshear at the end of May. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Susan Westrom (D-Lexington).

Hits, Hats and a Hot Idea

In the center is Gale Reece, ITNBluegrass Executive Director, with her mother
JoAnn Griffin (left) and Mayme Hamby (right)

A good time was had by all who attended ITNBluegrass' second fundraiser on May 11, 2007. Called "Hits, Hats and A Hot Idea," the event included a piano concert, a hat contest with prizes, refreshments, as well as information on our "hot idea": the Independent Transportation Network!

"Hits and Hats" was held at Second Presbyterian Church in downtown Lexington on a late Friday afternoon. Eastern Kentucky University professor and Second Presbyterian's organist Hayward Mickens, also a professional pianist, and his student Alec Miller entertained about 50 people with an eclectic mix of lively musical hits.

Kentucky has a wonderful hat tradition; many women wear them at the Kentucky Derby, which is always held on the first Saturday in May, or at Derby parties. Many of the women at our event pulled theirs out again, and the result was a sea of color amidst the dark wood paneling of the church's chapel. Two lucky ladies won prizes for their hats: a rose bush and a book with thoughts on aging from a classical philosopher.

The refreshments were mostly provided by Magee's Bakery, and the reception area was even decorated with hat boxes!

Everyone agreed that ITN is a hot idea, and we had lots of great questions. Several people decided that day to join us as charter members of ITNBluegrass, and we raised about $3,000!