The Newsletter of the Wyoming Public Transit Association
Social Service Agency of the Year continued . . .
vans and a 15-passenger bus. We gave over 6,000 rides last year. Pat Gray, head of the Transportation Department, three other drivers, and a host of volunteers care very much for their passengers.
     We also furnish transportation in Upton, which is 30 miles northwest of Newcastle. We have a driver and a van stationed there. We are so thankful and proud to have our handicapped transportation available to people in Weston County. Our wheels are always in motion.
2004 Dispatcher of the Year—Julie Alkire
Agency: Senior Friendship Center, Torrington
Nomination by Jeri Bottenfield, Director

     Julie Alkire has been employed by the Senior Friendship Center since 1997. Julie’s first job was as a driver for the Home-Delivered Meal Program. Julie delivered up to 100 meals per day for several years. One day in October 2000, I received a call that Julie had fallen, hurt her arm, and needed some help. I hurried to assist her and took her to the hospital where it was determined that her wrist was broken in four places! Julie underwent surgery and had screws placed in her arm.
     While Julie was recuperating, the dispatcher position came open. The center advertised the job and received several good applications. Julie stopped by and said, “How about hiring me for that position?” I really didn’t think she was serious, but the next day Julie came in with ten written reasons why I should hire her. What could I do? I hired Julie and she has done as good a job as dispatcher as she did with the meal program.
     Julie comes to work at 7 a.m. She is dependable and her attendance record is excellent. How she finds time to be so organized is amazing. The cross training has proved to be invaluable. Julie understands our clientele by knowing the limitations each person may have and scheduling the appropriate amount of time needed for a
 

Jeri Bottenfield, Julie Alkire, and Sean Solan at the 2004 WYTRANS Awards Banquet in Riverton.
ride. Julie is professional and positive when answering the telephone and is very patient with callers—even when all three lines are ringing at once and people are waiting at the counter for help.
     Julie cares deeply about the Senior Friendship Center and presents the center in a positive light to anyone who enters the facility. She is a wonderful ambassador for the senior center. I hope to keep her here and injury free!
2004 Volunteer of the Year—Don Steadman
Agency: Sheridan Senior Center
Nomination by Barb Daugherty, Transportation Director

     Don Steadman is a volunteer for the Sheridan Senior Center transportation department. His volunteer driving duties are primarily in the rural areas of Dayton and Ranchester where he is involved with home-delivered meals and assisting at the rural meal site through the lunch hour. Don maintains a positive attitude and is a true advocate, not only of the Sheridan Senior Center where he serves on the board of directors, but for the transportation department.
     Don was very instrumental in working with Ron Mischke of Farm Bureau Financial who donated a 1998 four-wheel drive GMC Savana with a lift for use in our transit system. This vehicle has been used in the outlying areas where travel is somewhat of a problem in the winter and where traditionally we did not have a bus with a lift available.
     When Don returns to Sheridan in the afternoon from the rural communities, he is always willing to help out with the in-town rides. His upbeat manner makes him a
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    Wyoming Transit Express 2 September 2004