Our Mission and History
Mission
Senior Rides and More is a faith-based nonprofit whose mission is to promote senior independent living, health, and safety by providing free transportation and other services.
History
Senior Rides and More began as Volunteer Interfaith Caregivers-Southwest, organized in 1994 by concerned people of faith who had experience in the provision of health and human services. The founders understood the isolation and fear often experienced by the frail and elderly, and they envisioned a volunteer effort to address those needs.
In the belief that a collaborative effort could accomplish more than any one congregation acting alone, they organized Volunteer Interfaith Caregivers-Southwest as an interfaith coalition of congregations. All churches and faith-based organizations in our service area are welcome to join our coalition.
Our organization has been in continual operation ever since its founding, and has helped thousands of frail and elderly people to remain independent in their long-time homes while staying connected to the community. In 2016 the organization adopted the name “Senior Rides and More” because free transportation is the most vital and requested service we provide.
Leadership
Senior Rides and More Board
Janie Mitcham, Chair
Senior VP, Retired, Smart Energy
John Heinemann, Vice-Chair
Retired, Shell Oil Company
Rebecca Landes, Secretary
CEO, The Beacon
Peter Hogue, Treasurer
Retired, Shell Oil Co.
Lois O’Connor, Board Member
Retired, City of Houston
Annette Bisanz, R.N., Board Member
Retired, MD Anderson Cancer Center
Adam Heghinian, Board Member
Financial Advisor, Edward Jones
Adrianna Rubio, Board Member
Instructor, Avid Technology
Senior Rides and More Advisory Board
Dr. Bill Franklin
Retired, Medical Doctor
Bill Frazer, CPA
Certified Public Accountant
Mrs. Inge-Lotte Liesner
Community Supporter, The Buckingham
Deanna Parmenter
CEO, Cougar Sales
Vince Ryan
Past Harris County Attorney
Orlando Sanchez
Past Harris County Treasurer
Cindy Siegel
Past Mayor, City of Bellaire
Morgan Steinberg
Adult Programs Director, JCC Houston
Rhonda West
Past HERO Board Member
Senior Rides and More Staff
Our Team is Small, But Our Impact is Large
Debby Posso, Executive Director
Debby joined Senior Rides and More in April 2007 as a part-time Scheduler and became Executive Director in November 2013. She graduated from The University of St. Thomas with a BA in Political Science. A sustaining member of The Junior League of Houston, Debby has been on the Houston Museum of Natural Science Volunteer Guild Board for 25 years and she has volunteered with many Houston area nonprofits. Debby has two incredible sons, a terrific nephew who is a part of her family, loves to travel, loves her job, and is a huge sports fan.
Janie McBane, Scheduler
Janie started working at Senior Rides and More in July 2017. She came to Houston in 1980 via Oklahoma and began her career in Texas working in the Rice University Math Department. After spending 20 years at Rice University, Janie became a substitute teacher for Clear Creek ISD and Pearland ISD and went back to school to earn a fitness and human performance degree from the University of Houston-Clear Lake. Janie enjoys the outdoors, riding four-wheelers with her husband, as well as spending time with her sisters and mom. She also really loves her mom’s good cooking!
Supporters
Our heartfelt thanks to the following supporters and all individuals who have generously contributed to Senior Rides and More.
Supporting Foundations & Donors
- St. Albert of Trapani Catholic Church
- Mrs. Madeleine Appel
- Mary Ann Beachler Charitable Fund
- Bellaire Rotary Club
- Bethany Christian Church
- Delana and Paul Bice / BICE & Associates Real Estate
- Ms. Judith Boyer
- Mr. E.J. “Gus” Brann
- Cameron Foundation
- Mr. Ephron Catlin
- Chapelwood United Methodist Church Foundation
- Sue and Keith Cox
- Mrs. Kathy Danforth
- Exchange Club of Sugar Land
- ExxonMobil Foundation
- Aubrey and Sylvia Farb Foundation
- Ray C. Fish Foundation
- Susan and James Fogarty Charitable Trust
- Bill Frazer, CPA
- The George Foundation
- Albert and Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation
- Melinda Hildebrand through the Greater Houston Community Foundation
- ITN America
- Mr. Richard N. Kauth
- Robert H. and Anita Q. Lawe Foundation
- St. Laurence Catholic Church
- Inge-Lotte and Willy Liesner/Tosca Farms
- Joan and David Magdanz
- St. Martin’s Episcopal Church
- St. Martin’s Episcopal Church’s St. Clair Needlepoint Group
- O’Connor & Associates/Pat and Kathleen O’Connor
- Fred R. and Mabel L. Parks Foundation
- St. Philip Presbyterian Central Mission Endowment Fund
- St. Philip’s United Methodist Church
- Prosperity Bank – Bellaire
- Adrianna and Arturo Rubio
- Judy and Carl Sandlin
- Ms. Ginger Sharp
- Shell Oil Foundation
- May & Stanley Smith Charitable Trust
- Dee and Pete Stanley
- Mr. Mike Stein
- Strake Foundation
- Mr. Jack Threet
- Tomball Regional Health Foundation
- Isla Carroll Turner Friendship Trust
- Carol and Herman Vacca Charitable Trust
- Mr. Robert Vinyard
- Mrs. Rosemary Walker and Mr. David Walker
- WellMed Charitable Foundation
- The Gil & Dody Weaver Foundation
- Mr. Craig Wooten
Supporting Congregations
- Bethany Christian Church
- Chapelwood United Methodist Church
- ChristChurch Presbyterian
- Congregation Emanu El
- Episcopal Church of the Epiphany
- Gethsemane – A Ministry of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church
- Holy Ghost Catholic Church
- St. Albert of Trapani Catholic Church
- St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church
- St. John Vianney Catholic Church
- St. Laurence Catholic Church
- St. Luke’s United Methodist Church
- St. Martin’s Episcopal Church
- St. Philip Presbyterian
- St. Philip’s United Methodist Church
- St. Thomas More Catholic Church
- St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church
Financials and Reporting
As a 501(c)(3) public charity, Senior Rides and More relies upon the support of generous donors and private Foundations to fulfill our mission. Read about Senior Rides and More fiscal responsibility here: