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Eastside Friends of Seniors urges more volunteer support as rides and companionship needs grow
Summary
Eastside Friends of Seniors told the Sammamish Human Services Commission it serves about 256 older adults—many low-income and isolated—and runs roughly 80 rides a week with nearly 95–98% fulfillment, but said volunteer recruitment and facility access limit growth.
Amy Scofield, engagement coordinator for Eastside Friends of Seniors, told the Sammamish Human Services Commission that the local volunteer nonprofit helps older residents "safely age in their home" by providing rides, home chores, handyman help and companionship.
"We partner with community to help older adults safely age in their home," Scofield said, describing an organization that has about 256 members, an average age of about 81 and a volunteer corps she estimated at roughly 230 people. She said two-thirds of members are low or very low income and many live alone.
Scofield said transportation is the program's biggest operational need. "We probably have about 80 rides a week, and we're, like, at a 95, 98% fill," she said, adding the group prioritizes medical appointments. Volunteers provide matches so members see the same driver or companion regularly, Scofield said, which helps build trusting relationships.
Commissioners and attendees asked how the city could help. Panelists suggested promoting volunteer opportunities through the city newsletter and website and sharing event space. Scofield said Eastside Friends relies mainly on word-of-mouth and referrals from Eastside Fire & Rescue, food banks and doctors, though she has also begun placing articles in neighborhood publications and tabling at farmer's markets.
On services scope, Scofield said volunteers handle many handyman-type tasks—changing light bulbs, installing grab bars, small ramps—and that the organization refers heavier plumbing or electrical work to commercial contractors from a trusted resource list.
The presentation closed with a request for visibility and volunteers: Scofield said the group is planning an inaugural Thanksgiving dinner for members and needs help transporting dozens of attendees to events.
The commission did not take a formal vote on funding during the presentation; commissioners encouraged the nonprofit to apply during the city—s next human services grant cycle, which staff said opens in March.
