VetRides hit the road in North Central New Mexico

It’s been over three months since the North Central New Mexico Veterans Transportation Network transported their first patient and the organization, known as VetRides, shows no sign of slowing down.

VetsRides is a nonprofit group which provides rides to veterans needing to get to Albuquerque for various appointments. Since the group started in September, they have put 7,000 miles on their shuttle van and are looking to expand their services across Taos County for veterans in need of rides to the city. Currently, the group takes about three trips per week and shuttles vets to and from appointments all on a volunteer basis.

“It’s something I’ve been working on for four years and I think its really important,” said VetRides Founder and Vice President Jerry Laughlin. “There are a lot of vets out there [who] it’s hard to get this information to.”

Laughlin donated money to the group in order to purchase the seven-seat van the organization uses for their trips. As a veteran himself, Laughlin, 93, felt the service was needed in Taos and plans to continue on helping others who have served.

VetRides has ten drivers on their staff who donate their time driving the vets. The group is currently seeking community donations for the maintenance and operation costs of the van.

“The majority of veterans we take are older vets and all have been really appreciative of the service,” said VetRides President David Doolittle.

Rides are steady at three trips per week and the drivers are unaffected by the weather when it comes to taxing the vets. Doolittle said the van has been faring well in the recent snow and winter storms.

According to Doolittle, the goals for 2019 are to gather more support and funding as well as obtain two more vehicles for the organization.

“We are going to be out in the community to request funding,” he said.

VetRides has presented their organization to the town of Taos and Taos County as well as other governing entities outside the county to spread the word of their services. The meetings have gone well, according to Doolitte, who is waiting to hear back from several of the entities. The group currently serves an area covering Taos County vets.

Those interested in catching a ride, donating to or volunteering for the organization are encouraged to call (575) 7795517.