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Ride-Away Gives Back

Ride-Away Gives Back

Each day, Ride-Away employees come to work with a certain mind frame; one of commitment and dedication not only to providing the best modified adaptive vehicles, but also to making the lives of people in our community better each day.  Whether it's getting involved in a civic organization, running a relay to fight Multiple Sclerosis or joining in a wide range of community activities, that dedication to serve has been a benchmark for Ride-Away and its employees since the beginning. Together their 165 employees donate more than 5,000 hours of volunteer time to reach into their communities and support local initiatives.

Most of Ride-Away's corporate giving is driven by local employees who work with community agencies to identify the best programs to address local needs and enhance quality of life. The organizations and agencies Ride-Away supports are as diverse as the people they assist.

Through our charitable efforts, we have been bestowed with awards from the following organizations:

    - ALS Society
    - National Spinal Cord Injury Association - Corporate Spirit Award
    - Citizens Bank Community Champion
    - Continuing Education in Fund Raising (CONFR)
    - Easter Seals  NH, VT, NY and ME
    - High Hopes
    - Moore Center Services
    - Multiple Sclerosis Society
    - Muscular Dystrophy Association
    - Nashua (NH) Center for the Multiply Handicapped
    - National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA)
    - Pastoral Counseling Services
    - Small Business Administration (SBA) - Small Business of the Year 2006
    - Special Olympics
    - Special Transit Services, Inc.
    - The United Way - Heritage, New Business, & Winners Circle Awards
    - Veteran's Administration

Some of the organizations we work with and support include:

Adaptive Driving Alliance - The Adaptive Driving Alliance (ADA) is a nationwide group of vehicle modification dealers who provide van conversions, hand controls, wheelchair & scooter lifts, tie downs, conversion van rentals, paratransit and other adaptive equipment for drivers and passengers with disabilities. The ADA also promotes quality testing/safety programs, and maintains the highest level of training and certification standards in the industry. All members are Quality Assurance Program (QAP) Certified, which is a program developed and managed by the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA).

Association of Driver Educators for the Disabled (ADED) - This is a non-profit organization that focuses on providing better training and education for the driver evaluators when working with clients that have disabilities.  They have created the only industry certification program for driver evaluators around people with disabilities that combine expertise in cognitive skills, various disabilities and their implications for driving, and the actual equipment that gets installed in vehicles to help these clients have a better and safer driving experience.  Throughout the last 20 years, Ride Away has donated substantial amounts of both time and money to insure that this organization progresses and thrives.

ALS Association - The ALS Association is the only national not-for-profit health organization dedicated solely to the fight against Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The ALS Association provides help and hope to those facing the disease through research, patient and community services, public education and advocacy. ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord resulting in muscle weakness and atrophy.

Associations Of Retarded Citizens - The "Arc" is a national organization of and for people with mental retardation and related developmental disabilities and their families. It is devoted to promoting and improving support services as well as fostering research and education regarding the prevention of mental retardation in infants and young children.

Brain Injury Associations - By acting as a clearinghouse of community service information and resources, participating in legislative advocacy, facilitating prevention awareness, hosting educational programs and encouraging research, the Brain Injury Association of America and its affiliates work to reach the millions of individuals living with the "silent epidemic" of brain injury. Each year, at least 1.5 million Americans sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Easter Seals of ME, NH, NY, and VT - Easter Seals helps individuals with disabilities and special needs, and their families, live better lives. From child development centers to physical rehabilitation and job training for people with disabilities, Easter Seals offers a variety of services to help people with disabilities address life's challenges and achieve personal goals. Primary Easter Seals services include medical rehabilitation, job training and employment, child care, adult day services, and camping and recreation.

Granite State Independent Living Foundation (GSIL) - GSIL is a New Hampshire-based, non-profit, service and advocacy organization that provides tools for people with disabilities to live independent lives. Their core services include advocacy, long-term supports, employment services, and community living services.

Help-Your-Self, Inc. - Help-Your-Self, Inc.® is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to enhancing accessibility for people with disabilities by providing practical knowledge and tools to improve people's potential for growth and community participation. They provide tools and services to enable independent living, community integration, reduce barriers, and educate to prevent injuries. Their staff and network of consultants have direct knowledge of disabling circumstances and experience in educating, developing, and implementing policies, and providing services supporting people with disabilities.

High Hopes - The High Hopes Foundation of New Hampshire is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to granting the wishes of New Hampshire 's severely chronically ill children between the ages of 3 and 18. For over two decades High Hopes has brought hope, joy and light to the lives of New Hampshire 's very special children, between 20 and 30 each year, with the help of its members, who donate a little time and energy for a huge reward: the opportunity to fulfill the dreams of children with life-challenging conditions.

Moore Center Services - Moore Center Services has provided individualized services directed at enhancing each person's quality of life. The individuals served live in a variety of community settings: with their own families, in a community residence, in foster care families, and in independent settings. Moore Center Services is committed to the principles of self-determination. The agency supports individuals with developmental disabilities and acquired brain injuries in their right to make choices about the kinds and types of services they receive, and to make cost-effective quality services available to all they serve. The agency is located in Manchester, New Hampshire, and provides services to families living in Auburn, Bedford, Candia, Goffstown, Hooksett, Londonderry, Manchester, and New Boston.

Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) - The MDA is a voluntary health agency - a dedicated partnership between scientists and concerned citizens aimed at conquering neuromuscular diseases that affect more than a million Americans. MDA combats neuromuscular diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive medical and community services, and far-reaching professional and public health education.

Nashua Center For The Multiply Handicapped - The Nashua Center for the Multiply Handicapped provides high quality care to many individuals with developmental disabilities and/or delays throughout Southern New Hampshire. Services include day and residential services for adults and children with developmental and acquired disabilities, and early supports and services for children ages birth to three years with developmental delays. 

National Mobility Equipment Dealer's Association (NMEDA) - NMEDA is a non-profit trade association of mobility equipment dealers, driver rehabilitation specialists, and other professionals dedicated to broadening the opportunities for people with disabilities to drive or be transported in vehicles modified with mobility equipment. NMEDA members are required to adhere to the safety standards of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and to follow strict NMEDA guidelines.

National Spinal Cord Injury Association (NSCIA) - The NSCIA educates and empowers survivors of spinal cord injury and disease to achieve and maintain the highest levels of independence, health and personal fulfillment. They provide an innovative peer support network and raise awareness about spinal cord injury and disease through education. Education programs are developed to address information and issues important to the constituency, policy makers, the general public, and the media, and include injury prevention, improvements in medical, rehabilitative and support services, research and public policy formulation.

NEP Wildcats Rugby - The NEP Wildcats Rugby team is a wheelchair rugby team that was put together in the Fall of 2007 in Durham, NH.  They are sponsored by the Northeast Passage (New England's premier disabled sports and recreation program).  The Wildcats play a full schedule against teams from all over the United States.

Next Step Orthotics and Prosthetics - From young children to seniors to world-class athletes, Next Step helps people reach their activity potential and has a reputation for successfully fitting amputees who previously have been unable to achieve a proper fit. They also offer specialized gait analysis and training that ensure a smooth, natural gait. As one of the country's most highly regarded prosthetic firms, Next Step is at the forefront in beta-testing and utilizing state-of-the-art components, giving our clients access to the latest advances in the field.

Northeast Passage - Is an organization that recognizes the extreme value in recreation for overall mental and physical health.  Founded in 1990 and winner of many awards, Northeast Passage has been nationally recognized for their innovative therapeutic recreational services.  Ride-Away has been an ardent supporter of this great organization since its inception.

Special Living Magazine - Is a nationally distributed publication that is read by physically disabled individuals that are looking for products that will make their lives easier on a day-to-day basis.  Whether someone is looking for an adaptive vehicle or products that will help them around the house, Special Living Magazine will provide you with what you are looking for.

United Cerebral Palsy - United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) is the leading source of information on cerebral palsy and is a pivotal advocate for the rights of persons with any disability. The UCP mission is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities through an affiliate network. The nationwide network of affiliates provide services such as housing, therapy, assistive technology training, early intervention programs, individual and family support, social and recreation programs, community living, state and local referrals, employment assistance and advocacy.

Wheelchair Escapes - Wheelchair Escapes specializes in the customization of your worldwide travel adventures, based on your specific mobility needs. Unlike most travel agencies, they have first hand knowledge and a true understanding and appreciation for the specific traveling needs of wheelchair travelers. Wheelchair Escapes educates their clients on adventure hot spots. They assist them in the preparation for their travels. They know the inside track on accessibility and have opened doors on adventures that people believed were closed forever.

Windrush Farm Therapeutic Equitation, Inc. - Windrush Farm Therapeutic Equitation, Inc. (WFTE, Inc.) is a non-profit, working horse farm, that has been successfully helping children  and adults with physical, emotional, and learning disabilities since 1964.  Located in Boxford and North Andover, MA, Windrush offers a unique form of therapy for all of their participants. 

In addition, Ride-Away also supports numerous rehabilitation centers, senior organizations, special transit services and veterans groups.  Visit our Additional Resources page to learn more about these organizations.