Love Across the Miles: How New Growth Transit Brings Betty and Stanley Together
For more than 66 years, Betty and Stanley Davison have been partners in life and love, building their family and dreams on a farm near Garden City, Missouri, where they raised their boys and for decades balanced farm life with long commutes to jobs in Kansas City.
Now, life looks very different for the couple. At 89 years old, Stanley, who served in the Army as an engineer at the end of the Korean War, resides in the Veterans Home in Warrensburg. He moved there two and a half years ago due to health challenges and as the only option they found that could work for them. Betty, now 85, still lives in their family home, but the physical distance between them weighs heavily on both their hearts. The separation has been hard, but one thing keeps them going: their weekly visits, made possible by New Growth Transit.
Every Wednesday, thanks to this volunteer driver network, Betty is able to visit Stanley. Without this vital transportation, those visits might not happen at all. Betty’s vision impairment means she can no longer drive herself, and while her family and friends try to help, their busy lives and commitments make it difficult to coordinate consistent trips each week. New Growth Transit ensures that Betty and Stanley can hold onto the connection they’ve shared for so many decades.
“Stanley wishes I could see him more often,” Betty admits, “but I’m grateful we can at least have this time each week.” For the couple, these visits are a lifeline. Betty treasures the chance to sit by Stanley’s side, hold his hand, and share a meal with him in the Veterans Home. It’s not the same as living under the same roof, but it’s a gift that neither of them takes for granted.
Because Betty needs a little extra help getting around, she’s joined on these trips by her sister, Phyllis, who also lives in Garden City. Phyllis, who no longer drives either and uses New Growth Transit for her own trips to Clinton and Harrisonville, has become a crucial part of Betty’s routine. The two sisters have developed a well-rehearsed system for their visits: Phyllis helps Betty navigate to and from the car, assists with her walker, and even unlocks the house for her when they return. At the Veterans Home, Betty lovingly pushes Stanley’s wheelchair to lunch while Phyllis walks alongside, managing Betty’s walker for her as they go. These visits aren’t just a chance to see Stanley—they’re also an opportunity for the sisters to spend precious time together.
For Stanley, a veteran who has served his country with honor, New Growth Transit is more than just a ride—it’s a bridge to his family. Programs like this are critical for veterans and their loved ones, offering them the chance to stay connected despite physical or logistical challenges. Rural veterans and their families often face unique barriers because of long distances and limited public transportation options. New Growth Transit helps remove those barriers, ensuring that those who have served can maintain the human connections that mean so much.
The sisters are full of gratitude for Alvin, their favorite volunteer driver, who makes their trips both comfortable and enjoyable. “The drivers are all so nice,” Phyllis says, “but Alvin is our favorite.” Alvin feels equally fond of his Wednesday passengers. “It’s so rewarding to help such kind and thoughtful ladies,” he says. “Plus, while they visit Stanley, I get to visit my own family in Warrensburg. I even signed up for a car wash subscription there to make the most of the trip each week.”
Betty and Phyllis’s sons do all they can to support their mothers, but with their own health challenges and commitments, they can’t always be there to drive them. New Growth Transit fills that gap, providing consistent and reliable transportation that allows these two sisters to maintain their independence and keep their weekly visits with Stanley.
For veterans like Stanley and families like the Davisons, New Growth Transit is more than a transportation service—it’s a lifeline. It’s a way to honor the sacrifices of those who have served while ensuring their families stay connected. And though Stanley wishes Betty could visit even more often, he cherishes their time together. Thanks to New Growth Transit, he knows he’ll see his wife’s familiar smile and feel her love at least once a week. It’s a gift that brings comfort to their hearts and reminds us all of the power of connection.
Help us give another million miles in rides! Join with New Growth Transit as a volunteer driver or with a donation and ensure that riders like Betty and Phyllis can continue their journeys of love and connection.