PLATTE COUNTY — Did you know that Platte Paratransit, based in Wheatland, offers transportation for medical necessities such as dialysis treatment, chemotherapy, or other medical appointments to residents in Wheatland, Guernsey, and Chugwater? They also provide transit to a residence if the patient was transported to a hospital via ambulance after an injury, illness, or emergency, such as a car accident. 

“We provide transportation to medical appointments for people who are elderly, disabled, and otherwise unable to travel,” said Beth Morris, board president of Platte Paratransit. “We help get patients to dialysis in Cheyenne, chemotherapy in Douglas, orthopedic care in Laramie or to other medical specialists in Greeley, Ft. Collins, Casper, and Scottsbluff.” Morris has been board president for more than ten years.

Board member Gail Thompson emphasized the desperately needed service by saying, “Platte County is a transportation and treatment desert.” This service is not to be confused with other local but limited transportation services that accommodate seniors who need to go grocery shopping, run to the bank, or are in need of other, non-medical related transport. Platte Paratransit is strictly based on medical necessity. 

This non-profit (501-c3) organization has been operating in Platte County for over a decade and is funded through donations, fundraisers, and the generosity of volunteers. “It costs about $2,500 per month to operate, maintain, and insure the vehicles,” Morris said. “We are always looking for volunteer drivers. A clean driving record is a must.”

Currently, nine drivers volunteer Monday through Sunday as needed. “Sometimes a patient that has been in the hospital will need a ride home. An ambulance only works one-way,” added Covenant Lutheran Pastor, Joshua Bruns, also a volunteer for Platte Paratransit.

“Anyone wanting to volunteer with us can apply and be interviewed; many of our volunteers are retired and it’s a good fit for them,” Bruns said. 

A wheelchair van is among the small fleet of vehicles that are available for those requiring it.  

A recent fundraiser featured a raffle for a hand-stitched quilt and a crocheted American flag afghan. Laurie Holtz crocheted the massive Stars-and-Stripes afghan, while the quilt was a group effort; designed and stitched by Annette Barlow and Nituma Zitting, and Marge Scholten who used vintage fabric squares to form the quilt. In 2016, a bag of quilt blocks was discovered at the local thrift store which was owned for many years (and at that time) by Scholten. The quilt blocks were repurposed and formed into the finished product, with decorative back-stitching done by Scholten, according to Bruns. 

Raffle tickets were then sold to produce a winner and funds benefitted Platte Paratransit. John Reynolds was the winning ticket holder for the flag afghan, and Cindy Kahler drew the winning ticket for the quilt.

Additional information about becoming a volunteer, donating, or requesting services with Platte Paratransit can be gained by calling 307- 322- 9423.