Neil and Sabina Hercules with their CARS driver, Linda Wason
When you turn 95, youbrneed to celebrate big. Lucky for Southlake resident, Neil Hercules, Call a Ride of Southlake (CARS) was there to help make his 95th birthday an incredible experience.
CARS is a nonprofit thatbrprovides free transportation for Southlake senior citizens and disabled adultsbrfor medical and social purposes. It normally provides transportation Mondaybrthrough Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but Neil's wife, Sabina, arranged forbrsomething special. Like the couples from our “Enduring Love” feature, Neil andbrSabina have been married for decades and simply enjoy being together.
“Sabina has alwaysbrenjoyed planning ‘mystery trips' for birthdays,” says Lisa Adam of CARS. “Neilbrwas not aware of the destination prior to the special celebration of his 95thbrbirthday.”
So, where did the couplebrgo on their special date night? To their very favorite seafood restaurant:brTruluck's.
“Mr. and Mrs. Herculesbrlove Truluck's and wish they could dine there more frequently,” Adam says.br“Neil's favorite is the shrimp, and Sabina has always enjoyed the sea bass.”
CARS volunteer LindabrWason was behind the wheel, and was happy to be part of the Hercules'brcelebration. But it's not just the fun celebrations that make volunteering withbrCARS an enriching experience. Adam, who has been helping seniors get wherebrthey need to go for nearly eight years, says it has been nice just getting tobrknow the riders.
“Theybrtruly appreciate an opportunity to get out of the house, whether forbrmedical appointments or simply for social purposes,” says Adam. “Seniorsbrare a wealth of valuable information. They have taught me a lot.”
If you'd like to getbrinvolved, CARS is currently seeking volunteer drivers and also acceptsbrdonations. “Everyone has heard of latch-key kids, but senior citizens reallybrneed and deserve an opportunity to get out of the house and retain a littlebrindependence,” says Adam. “They really do enjoy the company of their peers."
Visit CallARideSouthlake.org or call 817.798.4022 to learn how to get involved.