From Nefeteria Brewster
Club Car dedicated a 2017 golf cart, valued at more than $16,000, to the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center to help get disabled veterans from the parking lot to the front of the facility.
Although the uptown medical center holds two rows of handicapped spaces around the facility, Fred Palmer, a Club Car spokesman, said the new golf cart can further help those who are unable to secure those spots.
“Transportation on both campuses in downtown and here in uptown is very important to get around,” he said. “They have parking and then they have transportation needs within the campus, so I just see this as a fulfillment in partnership with that.”
Bob Frasier, a voluntary service chief for the medical center who received the key to the new cart Wednesday, said the unique valet service is effective immediately.
Phones will also be added to poles in the parking lot by the end of the year for visitors who plan to use the new door-to-door service, he said.
“We’re going to continue to monitor the parking situation here and take steps as needed to make it the best possible experience for our veterans when they get here.” Frasier said.
“So what we’re hoping to do eventually is we’re going to add phones, and we’re going to have a phone number for veterans. When they park they can actually call and identify their location. Then we can have a car clerk meet them at their car and have door-to-door service that way.”
Asked how services will be maintained, Frasier said it would depend significantly on those who are willing to volunteer as drivers for up to four hours each week.
“That would help us out greatly,” he said. “This is a pretty big step for us, so of course in order for us to continue to do this we’re going to need people to volunteer their hours.”
Those interested in volunteering can visit or email Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center at VHAAUGVoluntaryService@va.gov. ❂
