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(September 21, 2022) Senior citizens in Matteson and Richton Park who need transportation to grocery stores, pharmacies, doctor’s appointments and other essential services, can now receive free rides thanks to a new collaboration between the SafeLIGHT Foundation’s Seniors Matter program, the villages and Rich Township.
“The SafeLIGHT Foundation understands the importance of mobility and transportation to ensure senior citizens have access to health care and essential services and can remain active in their communities,” said Nikki Zollar, Chairwoman of the SafeLIGHT Foundation. “We are proud to partner with AARP to help fund this service to help our valued senior citizens maintain their mobility and independence.”
“We are excited that the SafeLIGHT Foundation can provide funding for convenient and accessible transportation options that enable seniors to travel locally for various activities with the provisions of safety as a top priority in the Village of Matteson and surrounding areas,” said Mayor Sheila Chalmers Currin. “We are elated to partner with Rich Township and Richton Park for such a great community collaboration.”
The rides will be provided by Rich Township Transportation and the SafeLIGHT foundation will pay the fares for seniors. Service hours are M-F from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with first pick up at 8:30 and last return is at 2:30 p.m., for medical appointments. Trips can be scheduled by calling (708) 748- 6727 between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Funding for the program is provided by a Community Challenge grant from AARP and a matching donation from Zollar and the SafeLIGHT Foundation.
The SafeLIGHT Foundation is a nonprofit organization committed to promoting safe driving behavior through charitable giving to traffic safety programs and to those people and organizations that support responsible driving. The SafeLIGHT Foundation’s programs focus on community outreach, law enforcement, teen drivers and seniors, as well as support for families that have been negatively impacted by traffic injuries or fatalities.
The AARP Community Challenge is a grant program to make tangible improvements in communities that jump-start long-term change. It is part of AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which supports the efforts of cities, towns, neighborhoods and rural areas to become great places to live for people of all ages. To learn more, visit aarp.org/Livable.
SafeLIGHT Foundation: (312) 863-2500; Matteson: (708) 283-4900;
Richton Park: (708) 481-8950 Rich Township: (708) 748-6727
