A non-profit organization that provides rides to seniors 24-hours-a-day is now being used as a model for similar programs across the country.

ITN Portland started providing door-to-door rides in 1995 to people 65 or older, as well as those suffering from eye problems that preclude them from driving. Since then, it has provided 165,000 rides to seniors in a 15-mile radius of greater Portland, averaging about 15,000 per year.

The program is the brainchild of Katherine Freund who first developed it as a student at the University of Southern Maine after her child was run over by an elderly driver.

Today it has evolved into a large-scale operation with a fleet of four vehicles and paid and volunteer drivers.

Its success is now attracting attention from other regions in the country and ITN America is now developing similar programs in California, New Jersey, Florida and South Carolina.

According to Rus Willette, community development director for the program, ITN Portland allows seniors to remain independent and dignified even after they stop driving. The drivers provide door-to-door service for the participants using a regular automobile and assist them with carrying items.

The program does not receive any public money and relies on donations and the fares charged to riders, which Willette said is about half of what would normally be charged.

Those who use the service can pay per ride or are given credit for the car they turn in to ITN Portland, which will either use the vehicle or sell it.

Volunteers also play a major role with the organization and help keep costs down for both riders and the organization. Paula Klimek, an ITN Portland board member, had used the service for two years while she had vision problems and said the drivers are one of its best aspects.

“It was a supportive and positive experience,” she said. “You really get to know these people, and they become a part of your life. I thought a car was going to pick me up, but what picked me up was caring people,” she said.

Volunteers seem to get just as much out of the experience as the people they drive. John Webster, who has been volunteering with ITN Portland for three years, said the job takes him all over the Portland area. He especially enjoys getting to know the people he is driving. “Volunteers get a lot out of it too,” he said. “You get to meet a lot of interesting people.”

Volunteers have the option of donating their mileage credits to a town account for low-income seniors. Volunteers also have the option of saving the credit to use themselves when they get older or transfering them to relative or friends who use the program.

“The reason it works is because we have the community support,” said Willette. “We’re giving the opportunity for neighbors to help their neighbors.”

ITN also has teamed-up with supermarkets for its “Ride and Shop” program where the organization will drop-off someone at a specific store, which in turn will donate $1 to the customer’s ride account and 50 cents to the organization. ITN also has a similar program called “Health Miles,” which are similar arrangements with area physicians.

To learn more about ITN Portland or volunteer opportunities, call 854-0505.

ITN Portland user Margaret Raymond and volunteer John Webster leaving Nonesuch Books Tuesday afternoon. Raymond has been volunteering for the service for three years and said he has really enjoyed his time with the program. ITN Portland user Margaret Raymond and volunteer John Webster preparing to leave Mill Creek shopping center Tuesday afternoon. Raymond was able to visit the UPS Store, CVS and Nonesuch Books during the trip.