Transportation Solutions Project

Most of us go through day to day activities without even thinking about how we will get to where we want to go. We have the means of transportation that is reliable and comfortable. However, within our community, there are those who struggle to make ends meet and don’t have that luxury. Many families who do own transportation may not have the means to properly maintain the vehicle and keep focus on safety and reliability because of everyday activities such as food, clothing, housing and even school activities that take precedence. That means that transportation for them may simply be a luxury. 

For example: 

• Stepping out in the morning to go to work and discovering a tire that had been neglected for so long, has now refused to hold air. This simple act can and often disrupts the ability to continue with the rest of the day and/or week. Now the money earmarked for this week’s meals may need to go into a tire repair. Unfortunately, too often the solution can be to replace that worn tire with another worn tire just to get by. 

• Or, perhaps a burned out headlight or taillight becomes safety related or even the result in a ticket which now takes money away from clothing that is needed. 

•  Worn out windshield wipers can cause vision to be impaired and again a safety issue. 

• A broken window now replaced with a garbage bag or sheet of plastic in order to keep heat in, results in impaired vision and again a safety issue. 

These items are some of the things that can send young families and even grandparents who are the guardians into deep destress. For many families even the registration fees, insurance costs and fuel are overwhelming. Those families who prefer to not have the expenses of a vehicle, but yet need to move about on a daily basis struggle. 

Many programs and organizations providing for food, clothing and even electricity once in a while are available to families, but transportation solutions are far and few. A program that will allow the community support such as Churches, Outreach Services, Parenting and Pregnancy Centers and Vehicle Repair Facilities are just some of the groups that can identify those families in our community who are in need of community support with these distractions to their ability to provide a safe and reliable means of transportation. Once the families have been identified, it will be necessary for community businesses to provide the ability to resolve the problem. For example, repair or replace the tire with a safe and reliable tire. You may be surprised to find out how many of the community repair facilities have and continue to reach out to those in need, at the cost to their business. Once the repair facility identifies the problem, it may be helpful if a source that can provide parts be part of the solution. Now wouldn’t it be nice if there was an organization that had the ability to pay for these repairs and parts? 

Introducing Rods N Rhodies, Inc., an Oregon Nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization formed in November of 2018. We are an organization that would like to be part of the solution. Rods N Rhodies, Inc. has already reached out to and have received commitments from Siuslaw Outreach Services, Florence Parenting and Pregnancy Center for support. Community businesses include Tony’s Garage, Hobergs Auto Center, Les Schwab Tire Center and Shervins Auto Center as repairing partners. Davison Parts (Napa) has committed their involvement with the program as well. A special thank you to Western Lane Community Foundation and Shorewood Senior Living for their support in becoming a major addition to the solution of providing safe and reliable transportation for those families who work, go to school and even volunteer in our community. But Rods N Rhodies, Inc. will need more support, volunteers, businesses and grant writers in order to continue this project on a continuous basis. 

Rods N Rhodies Inc., may be recognized as Rods N Rhodies Car Show in September. This year’s show will be the 12th Annual show on Bay Street, Florence Oregon. While it is the 12th annual show, it’s the first year for Rods N Rhodies, Inc. hosting the show. The organizers are not new to this show and are focusing on continuing to present the show in same manner as in the past shows. The Transportation Solutions Project will be an added focus on this year’s show as community awareness to the project and attempts to acquire donations and contributions to the project will be made.