2011 So far this year...

• Due to the economy the demand for scholarships is at an all time high. Thanks to the generous support of donors like you we have been able to distribute a record number of scholarships. So far we have issued 111 scholarships which is the equivalent of 1,110 free trips!
• JAUNT Friends continues to participate in the Belk Charity Days and Kroger Cares fundraisers.
• JAUNT Friends is fortunate enough to be a Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign (CVC 3553) charity again this year.
• Whole Foods selected JAUNT Friends for its Nickels for Nonprofits program for the month of December.

2010

• JAUNT Friends issued 41 scholarships which is the equivalent to 410 trips on JAUNT provided to those most in need.
• We joined the Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign: CVC code 3553
• Whole Foods selected JAUNT Friends for its Nickels for Nonprofits program. In June over 10,000 people donated their nickels to JF in a show of support for our mission!
• JAUNT Friends received its first grant from the Nelson County Community Fund. As a result, JAUNT was able to provide free trips to all citizens of Nelson County that need to go to the food pantry. Three organizations working together to meet a real community need.
• JAUNT Friends was able to make a contribution towards the purchase of gift cards for JAUNT staff at the holidays; this was greatly appreciated by all.

2009

This year JAUNT Friends adopted the following mission statement:

JAUNT Friends: Supporting JAUNT transportation services and providing fare scholarships to the passengers who need them.

We also launched several new initiatives to support our fundraising efforts. We joined the Kroger Cares gift card program, participated in the Belk Charity Day sales (spring and fall), and linked to the Food Lion Shop & Share program. In addition, we conducted a successful Annual Campaign in November which proved successful despite a difficult economy.

2008

JAUNT Friends launched a direct mail campaign at the holidays to solicit donations. Scholarship requests were reviewed and rewarded throughout the year as news of the program spread through the JAUNT service areas.

2007

January 1, 20007 JAUNT Friends became a 501c(3) nonprofit.

Part of JAUNT Friends effort is to provide bus tickets to access all public transportation services. We are proud to say that we were able to give our first disbursement of tickets to agencies and nursing homes in the area totaling $732 to over 15 agencies.

The organization began a low cost marketing campaign Fall 2007 with a pledge drive and a fundraiser in partnership with Barnes and Noble.

"Thank you for giving us the book of tickets for our JAUNT scholarship rider. We have one person who is a member and volunteer who would not be able to come to the Senior Center were it not for our purchasing tickets for her. She is disabled and does not drive. This book of tickets will go toward her transportation to the Senior Center. Thanks again for this generous gift."
                                                                                              Donna Blessing, Senior Center, Inc.

2006

In early 2006, the JAUNT Board of Directors made the decision to create a nonprofit organization to help support transportation. JAUNT Friends was incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia with the mission of promoting and supporting the delivery of public transportation to the population of Central Virginia. This new organization intends to expand and improve current services and educate the public both about existing services as well as how services can be expanded to meet future needs.

JAUNT Friends logo was created by Bobby Beamer of BBeamer Consulting.

"Friends who go the Distance"