On February 11th, a $50,000 donation by the SSM Health St. Clare Foundation to keep public transportation available in the Baraboo community was presented to the City of Baraboo. The donation provides funding to keep much-needed transportation resources and illuminates the power of community support.
Following a significant decline in ridership during and immediately following the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Baraboo faced a significant funding shortfall for its shared ride taxi service. Without finding a new funding source, the service used by residents for critical needs like attending medical appointments, grocery shopping, and even getting kids to and from school would end.
SSM Health St. Clare Foundation – Baraboo was made aware of the issue and the Foundation Board voted to provide a one-time $50,000 grant to the City to maintain this critical transportation resource for community members. SSM Health St. Clare Foundation Director Julia Randles officially presented the City of Baraboo with the funding check. During the presentation she noted that because the shared ride taxi service provides critical access to medical care, groceries and provides daily school transportation to a group of about 10 students, maintaining the service is a critical way to support the entire Baraboo community. Mayor Rob Nelson spoke about the City’s commitment to securing long-term funding for the service, while recognizing and thanking the SSM Health St. Clare Foundation for their support.
Following the check presentation, a few regular users of the shared ride taxi service expressed their gratitude noting that without the service they would miss critically important medical appointments, face isolation from not having reliable transportation to visit family and friends, and struggle to do their own shopping for items like groceries. One rider noted that she has formed lasting friendships with several of the taxi drivers, as they routinely are there to drive her to medical appointments, errands like grocery shopping, as well as to important visits with her family and friends.
The check presentation event was attended by three prominent Madison media stations dedicating significant coverage to this generous act. Their reports have shone a spotlight on the potential impacts of the donation, as well as the inspiring stories of those it will benefit.
Watch the local news coverage of the Foundation's generous donation: