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Catholic Charities Transportation Program Edna Sturgess 272-5065 Celebrating Three Years on the Move in Troy The Founders of Joseph's House and Bethany Center, Sister Rita Shawn and Maria Cokely are well-known figures in downtown Troy. Their names are synonymous with concern and care for the needy of the Troy community. Their most recent venture, however, has no bricks and mortar presence downtown. Instead, it's steel and wheels hum along city streets to and from hospitals, doctors' offices, and treatment centers carrying very special passengers -- low and moderate income people dealing with long-term, life-threatening illnesses which require repeated doctors' visits and treatment sessions. These special patients, without access to private transportation, are referred by hospitals, doctors, clinics and various outreach centers. The program's ministerial goal is to provide compassionate and sensitive services, mindful of each person's dignity and worth as a child of God. Non-monetary assistance is given in purchasing food, personal needs and medicine. Cheery phone calls and hospital visitations provide a connection to a person who cares. This outstanding is the only Troy-based transportation program of its kind. It serves all of Rensselaer County, as well as the nearby communities of Watervliet, Cohoes, and Green Island, whose people also use the many Troy medical services. Who keeps the wheels of this unique program turning? The indefatigable Sister Rita and Sister Maria, their two cars, one telephone and a large schedule board. They are aided by 15 volunteer drivers and cars, and a core of eight recordkeeping, paper shuffling fundraising volunteers. Since the program began, 306 patients have been processed, an average of 9 patients are transported each day Monday - Friday, and approximately 60,000 miles have been logged in the past year. The program operates under the auspices of Catholic Charities, but is responsible for its own funding through grants, private donations and two yearly fundraisers. We encourage you to support this unique and important program by attending the fall fund-raising event . . . In cooperation with Troy United Ink Corp., a not-for-profit corporation 
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