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by Audrey Partington
Contributing Writer
Greater Olney Rides — GO Rides — is now the name of the local nonprofit organization serving seniors, which was formerly known as Olney Home for Life Inc. (OHFL).
The organization’s Board of Directors voted unanimously to change the name in order to better communicate its mission: To help seniors in the Greater Olney area age in place by providing free, door-to-door rides to medical and other appointments.
“We’re changing our name but not our mission,” said Evelyn Harkins, board chair. “We hope that the name ‘GO Rides’ will make Greater Olney seniors aware of our free transportation service.”
The grassroots group was incorporated in 2012 by several Olney seniors who were inspired by the “senior village movement” that began in Beacon Hill, a neighborhood in Boston, 20 years ago.
With the aim of supporting seniors so they can remain in their homes as they age, the senior village movement has grown exponentially throughout the nation, including the state of Maryland. Its growth parallels the increasing growth of the nation’s senior population.
“Villages provide opportunities for people to strengthen relationships with neighbors, give back to their community, as well as age with choice and dignity,” said Pazit Aviv, Montgomery County’s Village Coordinator. “Olney Home for Life is one of the oldest villages in Montgomery County, which boasts 30 such organizations. “We are glad it will continue to serve area seniors as GO Rides.”
Mike Greenhut, the organization’s founder, approves of the name change. “People usually infer that we provide housing, so this change will obviate that misconception.”
Barbara Barry, one of the organization’s founding board members, agrees. “While I have a nostalgic attachment to the OHFL name, I also believe this change will bring instant and clear recognition of the most important and useful service of the organization — transportation. GO Rides, hopefully, will make area residents aware of the many other opportunities this organization sponsors for senior citizens.”
With a tagline of “neighbors helping seniors,” GO Rides relies on volunteers to provide free transportation for seniors residing in Olney, Ashton, Brookeville, Sandy Spring and Brinklow.
The organization also transports seniors who reside outside of the Greater Olney area to treatment at MedStar Montgomery Cancer Center in Olney. The organization is nearing its pre-pandemic service level of providing 100 rides per month.
GO Rides will continue to offer free, public programs and events of interest to older adults.
GO Rides is supported by grants from MedStar, the Montgomery County Council, the Maryland Department of Transportation, Sandy Spring Bank and individual donations from the community.
A grant from the Olney Civic Fund will help GO Rides host a 55+ Resources Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 13 at Oakdale Emory Church, 3425 Emory Church Road.
For more information about GO Rides, go to gorides.org.
To become a volunteer or request transportation, contac