On Thursdays, Ben Borkowski gets in his vehicle with an itinerary: St. Andrew’s Village, Hannaford, a doctor’s office, and several stops between. But he isn’t going for himself, he gives rides. For five years, he has been a volunteer driver for the Community Center. A self-described extrovert and helper, Borkowski said he loves people.  

“I try to hang around with people that are smarter than me and kinder than me. So, it gives me something to aspire to,” he said about volunteering. “I love helping people. I'm 73 years old and, basically, it gives me a reason to stay healthy.” 

Borkowski is one of 16 drivers in the People Helping People program, which shrinks to five during the winter. Overall, they provide an average of 30 rides a month according to the Community Center. Most rides are local, but drivers may take people as far as Damariscotta and Brunswick, mostly for doctor's appointments. In exchange, there is a $20 monthly membership fee for riders, which helps offset costs. 

According to Community Center President Jerry Homer, the idea for the program came after St. Andrews announced its closure. Community members raised funds to save the hospital and, even though the efforts failed, the group pivoted to help fill the gap left behind. One of the proposals was a program called “People Helping People” that would pair a volunteer with someone who needed help. 

“Transportation was only one of the needs,” Homer said. “But with a little bit of experience, it turned out quickly that was probably the biggest need.” 

Eventually, its mission solidified, and People Helping People was formed to provide local transportation. Homer said it was then taken under the umbrella of the Community Center as one of its cornerstone efforts.  

People Helping People is one of two similar programs in the area, separate from the Community Resource Council’s ride program. Homer said the two programs aren't competitive. Rather, they reflect a need.  

“Public transportation is a gigantic problem on the peninsula,” he said. "Nobody seems to be really doing anything much about it. There's this tremendous unmet need ... particularly if you are elderly living alone, may or may not be able to drive, and you need to go to the grocery store. How do you do it?” 

Although many members are elderly, Homer said they serve broad demographics and don’t fit into one box. He said the program is for people who can't drive, whether due to age, finances, eyesight, or other reasons. Betsy Smale, who works at the Community Center, said she is moved by conversations with those that use it, and recounted one who has trouble getting around on their own. 

“Her day is when one of the drivers goes and picks her up and then brings her here to play Dominoes. That's the light of her whole week,” Smale said. "The drivers, they really just don't go and drive the people. They (are) more personal and treat them with respect. And then if they need any other help, they're there. I think it's a wonderful program.” 

It's that spirit of respect and kindness Borkowski said he hopes to provide and maybe, someday, get a little in return.  

“I want to live to 93 years old, and I want to be helpful up to that point,” he said. “But if I can't, then I would expect me to be able to use somebody else here at the Community Center to take me to the store, to take me to the doctors."

The Community Center is looking for more volunteer drivers. For information on how to join People Heping People, as a rider or volunteer, contact the program at (207) 633-9876 or communitycenterofbbr@gmail.com