When JFCS first introduced AgeWell Rides in April 2014, I started recruiting and training volunteer drivers, fervently hoping that the new program would be a success. One of the first people to join us as a volunteer was Dan Stein, a newly retired substitute high school teacher, who made it his new passion to drive our AgeWell seniors to medical appointments, grocery shopping and especially the JCC.
Dan connected with many of our seniors, all of whom loved him. And who wouldn’t? He was cheerful, reliable, dependable, easy going and patient. He was diligent in going onto our website and finding someone who needed his help, offering his time and skill as a driver to these older adults who truly needed a way to keep their independence. Dan would pleasantly call them to confirm their requested appointment, then make a reminder call the evening before – and show up, always on time, and always with a smile.
Dan developed a special routine with two ladies on our program, Edith and Meliza. In fact he drove these two women to the JCC two times a week for several years. All three attended fitness activities, and then participated in the congregant lunch at the JCafe, then he drove them both back home. It changed their lives for the better. Edith who is in her late 80’s and has arthritis was looking for a place to swim in the warm water. Without Dan, she would have had to take 3 buses to get from Homewood to the JCC. Meliza, who was trying to get more exercise could not easily catch a bus, and had stopped participating in outside activities. Once Dan offered her an easy, reliable ride to & from the JCC, her world opened up, and she started to get stronger and fit. For this alone Dan won the honor of Volunteer of the Year for JFCS in 2015.
As well, Dan took two Russian ladies shopping each week to either Aldi’s, Trader Joe’s or Costco. After dropping off Dina, he would go inside her home for a short visit, where she would always make him a smoothie! He truly enjoyed these visits. Once when Dina did not open the door for a pre-arranged visit, Dan felt concerned. He called me and I called her nephew to check on her. True enough – Dina had been taken to the hospital, and was quite ill. Dan drove to the hospital to visit with her there, instead of seeing her for their regular shopping trip. Within a couple of weeks they were back to their regular shopping trips.
In the 4 ½ years that I had the pleasure of being Dan’s volunteer coordinator, he offered 1546 rides to many different seniors here in Squirrel Hill. He worked 792 hours, and drove 2703 miles, all using his own car and gas. He was the first one to offer to help, and the first one to join in a party. He attended every AgeWell Rides & Visits party, the United Way In Service of Seniors parties and always brought his lovely wife Sharyn. They were a very special couple and I enjoyed getting to know her as well.
At JFCS, and AgeWell Pittsburgh, our hearts are broken that one of the kindest people that we knew, a true mensch – a volunteer, a husband, father and new grandfather to baby Henri, was taken so cruelly in the Tree of Life, New Light and Dor Hadash tragedy on October 27, 2018. He loved his family and being retired, and enjoyed volunteering his time to help others. Not only was he a volunteer with us at AgeWell Rides, he worked at the JFCS Squirrel Hill Food Pantry on a regular basis for many years.
If you are wondering what anyone can do to honor this man’s life, it might be to try following in his footsteps, by helping others every day, by trying to always do the kind and good deed. He has left a huge hole in our hearts, and our AgeWell Rides program will forever miss his energy and diligence. We send our love to Sharyn and their children and grandson. He will not be forgotten, may his memory be for a blessing.
By Ellen Leger