Rideshare program awarded $15,000 grant
STARS Management Team, From left John Finley, Rennie Morrell, Karen Thrower and Tom Gonsiewski
Sisters Transportation and Rideshare (STARS) has been awarded a $15,000 grant from the Robert W. Chandler Discretionary Subfund and Anonymous Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) to support its mission of providing free, accessible, and community-driven non-emergency medical transportation for Sisters Country residents.
This generous grant will help STARS to serve vulnerable populations—including seniors, individuals with disabilities, and the underserved — by supporting operational costs, volunteer coordination, and critical ride scheduling technology upgrades.
“We are deeply grateful to OCF for their investment in our vital community service. Our residents who rely on our amazing volunteers to get to appointments in Bend, Redmond, and Sisters are especially thankful,” said Rennie Morrell, STARS executive director. “This funding helps us bridge critical gaps in benefits that do not include medical transportation, making health care more accessible in our rural community.”
The funding comes at a crucial time, as STARS continues to see rising demand for rideshare services across the Sisters school district service area. In 2024 alone, the organization provided 726 round-trip rides and drove over 32,000 miles showing a 33 percent increase over the previous year. In 2025, the demand is increasing again stretching STARS volunteer resources, but the organization is committed to helping ensure transportation is never a barrier to health, connection, and livability in Sisters Country. Interested volunteers can go to the STARS website https://www.starsride.org/drive-for-us and join the driving team.
OCF is known for supporting local community efforts that make a real impact, and STARS is an example of how community-based solutions can transform lives in rural Oregon. The grant is part of OCF’s commitment to strengthening community infrastructure and equity across the state.
STARS is a community-based nonprofit that serves people in Sisters who are unable to drive to their medical services. By offering free, flexible, and reliable medical transportation, STARS empowers independence and mobility for all, helping keep Sisters healthy one ride at a time.
Oregon Community Foundation puts donated money to work in Oregon — more than $100 million annually — to improve lives in every corner of the state. For more information, visit http://www.oregoncf.org.
