By By Matthew Nascone
Ruth Harrell may be retired from the field of nursing, but she is still in the business of helping those in need.
Harrell spoke at the Aug. 15 meeting of the Atmore Lions Club. Her message was about the Coalition for a Healthier Escambia County, and specifically about the Wheels of Wellness program.
Wheels of Wellness is an extension of Kid One Transport in Birmingham. The program is a way for less fortunate people to get much needed medical appointments. Volunteer Tom Frazier is the driver of the vehicle that transports the children in need.
"I don't know how to tell you how important this program is," Frazier said to the Lions Club. "These kids we help mean the world to me and there is nothing more worthwhile than getting them to the hospital."
Frazier said the program helps children with any kind of illness. This is not a mass transit system. Frazier said most of the trips he makes are carrying one child and a guardian.
"Typically I take one child per trip," he said. "And the furthest I have gone is Birmingham, but I will travel anywhere they need to go."
Harrell said this program is something she sees as her way to do God's work.
"I am doing this because when I get to eternity, I want to be able to say I did the best I could with what I had," Harrell said.
Harrell has 47 years of experience in health care in her home state of Alabama. And she said helping people is just what she does. Frazier said the Wheels of Wellness program is for residents in Escambia, Monroe and Conecuh counties.
Harrell said the fundraiser for the Wheels program is underway and anyone willing to donate to the fund can send a check to The Escambia County Healthcare Authority P.O. Box 980 Brewton, AL 36427. All contributions are tax deductible.