Lake Limo
To the editor:
When I was asked to write a press release for Laker Limo, I jumped at the chance. Of course, I’ll share some important facts and scripted information of the Skaneateles transportation service, but I thought I would also add my personal experiences and my feelings about our services.
Giving back to the community has always been important to me. I have been volunteering in various organizations since coming to CNY close to 30 years ago. My experience with Laker Limo of Skaneateles has fulfilled me more than any other. Each month I look forward to my Laker Limo day.
It was after years of volunteering for a city of Syracuse organization and retiring from a career that took me downtown that I decided it was time to find volunteer opportunities in my community. I was drawn to Laker Limo by some friends, who said words like service, connections, necessary, important, etc., which it is and so much more.
The Skaneateles transportation service caters to our residents of both the village and the town. Many are seniors, while others may be in need of temporary transportation services following surgery recovery.
As a volunteer, each vehicle is staffed with a driver and an escort. I decided to tap a friend, which was a new and developing friendship to be my partner, others sign up as singles and are assigned with various volunteers. During our time together we have grown so much closer, spending the day together while doing good for our community. On each assigned day, just one time per month, we drive our passengers to a variety of appointments, grocery shopping and social gatherings throughout Syracuse, Auburn and Skaneateles.
This budding friendship has been just one benefit of my time with Laker Limo. Connecting with the seniors and residents of our community has been just as wonderful. These are amazing people, with histories and stories that are sometimes simple, funny and at times absolutely fascinating.
Not only does Laker Limo provide a necessary service for many of our homebound residents, we make human connections. We provide care, concern, help, interaction, socialization and conversation. At times, riding in our vehicles is their social event of the day or possibly the week. We have exchanges about the weather, the change of seasons, road construction, politics, and family to name just a few topics.
All because of volunteering with Laker Limo, we have new friendships with some of our most interesting residents. During our rides we learned that one client was a classmate of Anne Frank. Another shared stories of how she and her family survived living in a concentration camp. Others have lived in Skaneateles all their lives and share stories of former residents and businesses, often times discovering connections to my extended family.
When I decided to volunteer for Laker Limo I knew how important and valuable the service is to our community, what I didn’t know was what a profound impact it would have on me. Engaging with our clients is the highlight of volunteering.
Just one day a month, is such a minimum commitment to an organization that provides such an important service for our residents. We help to keep our clients connected to the community, we contribute to their health by taking them to necessary doctor appointments, we provide a means for them to get groceries and prescriptions, we even take them for salon/barber appointments. The reward of running these errands with our neighbors provides so much more. We are helping to provide basic needs, which contribute to their well-being.
We are asking you, our fellow neighbors to consider volunteering to be a driver or an escort for Laker Limo. The minimum commitment is just one day per month. You will be rewarded by meeting new people, hearing their stories, sharing some of your own and making an important contribution to the well-being of so many. Also, if you know someone who can benefit from these services, please help them make the connection. Call to volunteer or for transportation sevices: 315-685-3030.
Vanessa Yates
Skaneateles
