Valley YMCA to provide transportation for seniors to COVID vaccine sites

PHOENIX — The Valley of the Sun YMCA on Tuesday will begin providing seniors free rides to their COVID-19 vaccine appointments, according to a press release on Monday.

Along with the expansion of the YMCA’s volunteer-led outreach program based in Ahwatukee that provides rides for seniors, the organization has also partnered with Uber for additional options.

The YMCA and Uber coordinated with the Arizona Department of Health Services to ensure seamless transportation for seniors to state-operated vaccination sites at State Farm Stadium and Phoenix Municipal Stadium, according to the release.

Those who want to find out more information about scheduling a ride to the vaccine sites can call (602) 212-6088 or email opas@vosymca.org.

“This partnership will allow vulnerable individuals in our community to get the vaccine, which will be life-changing for them personally,” Jenna Cooper, emergency response coordinator for Valley of the Sun YMCA, said in the release.

While the partnership with Uber has allowed the YMCA to serve more people immediately, the organization in the release said it is still seeking additional volunteers to become drivers in the outreach program for the vaccination transportation effort.

“We hope more individuals will consider volunteering to help their neighbors get vaccinated,” Cooper said.

Community donations allowed the YMCA to expand its outreach program to serve the greater metropolitan area and partner with Uber, according to the release.

Just under 149,000 seniors have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot in Maricopa County as of Monday, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services’ vaccine dashboard.

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