AUGUSTA – The Maine Community Foundation recently announced a gift of $7,500 for Community Concepts’ Elder Rides program. Elder Rides uses volunteer drivers (mileage is reimbursed) to transport senior citizens to critical medical appointments such as chemo-therapy, radiation therapy and kidney dialysis.

“We are thankful for the gift from the Maine Community Foundation,” said Koriene Low, director of community and transportation services at Community Concepts. “Oftentimes these people do not have the resources to pay someone to take them to appointments or family nearby to help out. This generous contribution lets Community Concepts make sure the needs of this population are met.”

The average age of Elder Rides clients is 83; many have three or four appointments a week. With no government funds available, Community Concepts relies upon the contributions from foundations, United Way organizations and individual donors to pay for costs associated with the program.

For more information on the Elder Rides program, visit www.community-concepts.org or call 743-7716.

Since 1965, Community Concepts has been the local community action agency serving the cities and towns Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford counties.