More Than a Ride: Six Months of Supporting Coronado’s Seniors

May 6, 2026

“Thank you, you have given me my freedom back, and I am so grateful for this program.”

Nancy, Coronado Seniors A Go Go rider

The Coronado Community Foundation celebrates the 6-month milestone with volunteer drivers making a difference in the lives of Coronado seniors who simply need a ride.

Nancy is a Coronado resident who took her first Coronado Seniors A Go Go (CSAGG) ride in January. She has not been driving for a few years and lives alone after her husband passed away in early 2024. From time to time, her family, who live out of town, has arranged a Lyft or Uber for her, but she is not comfortable using technology to order rides; a common sentiment among the 85 seniors who have registered for the CSAGG free ride service.

Launched at the end of November 2025, the program is rolling right along, with over 100 rides completed.  Sue (a rider) said, “I don’t have a car, and getting a ride to my doctor’s office with Samantha was more than just a lift. This door-thru-door service is a lifesaver.” In partnership with ElderHelp of San Diego, the Coronado Community Foundation, and the Coronado Senior Association, the Coronado Seniors A Go Go program provides free rides up to 30 miles one-way for residents age 60 and older.  “There is no qualification except simply needing a ride. In fact, ElderHelp of San Diego, which has been providing this service through a TransNet grant from SANDAG for years, has had Coronado in its service area, but ride requests went unfulfilled since we did not have a volunteer driver pool to accommodate the rides”, states Michelle Gilmore, CEO of the Coronado Community Foundation. “That has changed with our collective effort to recruit and onboard volunteer drivers, currently, a pool of 20 and counting.”

The volunteer drivers find helping a neighbor feels very special.  Samantha (volunteer driver) is a busy mom with a job, but she loves driving local seniors.  She said, “I’ve really enjoyed getting to know each rider I’ve had. It’s a perfect way to give back to my community and feel like I’m making a difference”.  Volunteer drivers from the 2018 Out and About Program are thrilled to have the chance to be trusted volunteer drivers again. “ As a volunteer driver for both out and about and the newly formed Seniors a GoGo, I’ve had the pleasure to drive and meet many seniors whom I would have never met. They all have a story to tell and have lived interesting lives,” shares Bob (volunteer driver). “Spending time driving this group has been rewarding and at times inspiring. I personally have gotten more satisfaction and an enhanced sense of community by making the commitment to volunteer.”

As part of the Coronado Community Foundation’s Neighbors in Need initiative, transportation is just a start. “ We are incredibly proud of our donors and volunteers who have made it possible for us to bring back such a welcome service to our community.  With their support and partnerships, we will expand our services to include errands, grocery shopping, social events, and technology training to connect our senior community,” said Helen Kupka, Founder and Board President. “The gratitude we hear from our seniors and the enthusiasm of our volunteers remind me daily of the value we can bring as a community foundation.  It just makes us want to do more.”

To learn about ways to get involved, whether you need a ride, would like to give a ride, or would like to donate to the Neighbors in Need initiative, please contact Michelle Gilmore at mgilmore@ccfcoronado.org or visit ccfcoronado.org/neighbors-in-need.The Coronado Community Foundation’s mission is to enhance our community through strategic philanthropic efforts. They work to address unmet needs in our community by partnering with nonprofits, city government, organizations, and individuals. The Community Foundation led initiatives and grants help strengthen our community as well as build capacity and capability for our local nonprofit organizations.