ACC Rides is excited to announce that volunteer Dale Yamada received ITNAmerica’s 14th Annual Max and Helen Israelite Volunteer of the Year award from one of ACC Rides’ funders, ITNAmerica.
ITNAmerica is dedicated to senior mobility, and it is their goal to ensure that outliving the ability to drive safely does not lead to a life of isolation. They support sustainable community-based transportation by leading a national transportation network grounded in research, policy, analysis, and education. ACC Rides is one of ITN’s “Trusted Transportation Partners.”
This prestigious national award went to a very deserving person. Dale has been a volunteer with ACC Rides for over twelve years, and has volunteered more than 8,750 hours, providing more than 10,000 trips to ACC riders. Dale takes his commitment seriously and goes above and beyond. He is known to provide transportation outside ACC Rides business hours for clients as well as purchase meals for clients who were alone on holidays and even furnishing nutritious snacks to clients finishing dialysis. Twice, he has come across a client who had fallen. Had Dale not taken additional steps after finding no answer at the door, the outcome would have been dire. Dale is not only a driver, but a friend to many of ACC Rides’ socially isolated clients.
When ITNAmerica asked for Dale’s comments, he replied that he retired rather early from the State of California and felt the need to give back for the sacrifices of those who came before him.
In addition to his commitment and loyalty to the ACC Rides program, Dale volunteers for the Buddhist Church of Sacramento, assisting for two full days during their Annual Japanese Food and Cultural Bazaar, and assists with fundraising events for ACC as well as provide an annual monetary donation to ACC Senior Services.
ITNAmerica stated the nomination letter was very moving, and the committee agreed unanimously that Dale should be the recipient of this award. He will receive a Tzedakah (Sedaka) Box, commissioned and crafted by a Maine artist. A Tzedakah box is traditionally kept in Jewish homes, and it held coins collected for charity. Tzedakah is a Hebrew word meaning “justice,” specifically doing the right thing by helping people or causes in need – a very fitting award indeed for a man who has done so much to help so many. ACC Rides is proud of Dale and all of our committed volunteers.
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