STARS News
Read the latest 6 posts about all the great work STARS is doing for the Sisters community, and what others are doing to help STARS with its mission to provide non-emergency medical rides to Sisters’ residents who are unable to drive themselves.
Want to read all of our history in the news? The archive lists all of our posts chronologically.
STARS was honored to be awarded a grant from the Oregon Community Foundation. The generous $15,000 grant will go far in supporting our mission to help keep Sisters healthy, one ride at a time. OCF is committed to funding organizations that work to improve lives in every corner of Oregon. Funding free transportation to non-emergency medical appointments is essential to rural areas.
April is National Volunteer Appreciation Month, and at STARS, we acknowledge that without our volunteers, we wouldn’t exist. We are comprised of 100% volunteers who serve on the board, are directors and managers, take phone calls, and drive passengers to their non-emergency medical appointments.
SISTERS, Ore. -- Sisters Transportation and Ride Share (STARS) helps older folks with crucial, free transportation.
"I used to be quite independent and I always managed to care for myself," said 86-year-old Sisters resident Barbara Barnett. "Then I started having health issues like a lot of us do."
Barnett is one of several Sisters residents who rely heavily on STARS, the only all-volunteer, non-emergency medical transportation service in Oregon.
April is National Volunteer Appreciation Month, and at STARS, we acknowledge that without our volunteers, we wouldn’t exist. We are comprised of 100% volunteers who serve on the board, are directors and managers, take phone calls, and drive passengers to their non-emergency medical appointments.
On the hangar wall of her duty station in Corpus Christi, Texas, hung a sign reading, "Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way." Rennie Morrell made the choice to lead that day and her path to Sisters has reflected her sense of duty to community and country ever since.
She stunned her family when she enlisted in the Navy at age 18. In Corpus Christi, she was an Aviation Admin but her decision to lead opened the door to a bachelor's degree in sociology and an officer's commission in 1983. She ultimately served a total of 22 years in the Navy, retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Commander with stations in Japan and the Pentagon. She specialized in training and technology throughout her career. Her and husband, Jim, frequented Sisters on vacation and made the permanent move in
2000. She looked for local opportunities to serve and became one of the original founders of STARS - Sisters Transportation and Ride Share. She also assisted in implementing the ride booking software which manages the whole process from request to delivery. In 2024, STARS provided 726 roundtrip rides with drivers completing more than 32,000 miles. For Rennie, serving her community was the next logical step after a career serving this country. "I feel I was always built for a life of service. It's in my makeup," she says.
Recent research on depression in older Americans had some surprisingly good news. Of all age groups, those 65 and older have the lowest rate of depression. The same research found that, of the people who are depressed, chronic pain is the primary cause. A common treatment for chronic pain is physical therapy, and each week STARS provides numerous rides to PT appointments. It makes us feel good to know that we are helping reduce the pain and boost the spirits of those we drive to their appointments. It is such a rewarding volunteer job. Our passengers can no longer drive themselves and we know what a difference we make in their quality of life. By providing these free rides to non-emergency appointments, we are supporting a vibrant community.
The demand for rides from STARS has been rapidly increasing. We need your help. If you are interested in volunteering to keep Sisters a healthy community, please consider joining our team. As a STARS volunteer you can choose to work as much or as little as you want. You always make your own schedule. Going out of town for a getaway? No problem, you just wouldn’t take any rides for the time you are gone. STARS reimburses you for mileage.
Fill out an application today. We will get back to you soon, and before you know it, we will have you on the road! It’s easy to apply and we will train you to drive with us.
Sisters Transportation And Rides Share has the proud mission of “Keeping Sisters Healthy One Ride at a Time!”
