AARP Oklahoma Awards 11 Grants to Provide Transportation for Homebound Oklahomans for COVID-19 Vaccinations and Medical Appointments

Homebound Oklahomans have an additional option to gain transportation for COVID-19 vaccines thanks to a grant from AARP Oklahoma. The $13,500 in grant funding will provide transportation for hundreds of  Oklahomans. 

AARP Oklahoma identified 11 non-profit transportation organizations across the state to partner and fund rides for rural, urban and veteran residents who do not have access to receive the vaccination. The organizations selected provide transportation in all areas of the state, including serving tribal and non-tribal residents. In addition to prioritizing rural areas, AARP Oklahoma will support Veterans Family United Foundation’s transportation program for both vaccine appointments and general medical appointments.  

“Transit providers play a crucial role connecting citizens with access to medical care, especially those who live in rural or underserved areas,” said AARP Oklahoma State Director Sean Voskuhl. “Unfortunately, lack of transportation may prevent those who want to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. We want to help remove those barriers.”  

AARP Oklahoma is awarding the following organizations $1,000 transportation grants:   

• Central Oklahoma Transit System - serves Pottawatomie and Seminole counties. 405-273-3000  

• Cherokee Strip Transit - serves Alfalfa, Blaine, Grant, Kingfisher and Noble counties and portions of Garfield and Kay counties. 580-863-2279 

• KiBois - serves Adair, Cherokee, Haskell, Latimer, LeFlore, Hughes, McIntosh, Okfuskee, Okmulgee, Pittsburg, Sequoyah and Wagoner counties. 800-289-7228  

• Oklahoma City Indian Clinic - serves Oklahoma City area. 405-948-4900 ext. 249 or ext. 662 for Social Services 

• Pelivan Transit - serves Rogers, Delaware, Ottawa, Northern Tulsa, Mayes and Craig counties - 800-482-4594  

• Red River Public Transportation Service - serves select cities in Roger Mills, Beckham, Custer, Washita, Kiowa, Tillman, Cotton, Jefferson, Stephens, Woodward, Caddo, Comanche, Ellis, Dewey, and Canadian counties. 580-335-5588 

• Southern Oklahoma Rural Transportation System - serves Bryan, Carter, Coal and Love counties. 580-924-5331 

• Tulsa Health Care Indian Resource Center - serves Tulsa area. 918-588-1900 

• Variety Care - serves greater Oklahoma City metro area including Edmond, Yukon and Norman. 405-632-6688, press 5 

AARP Oklahoma is awarding Veterans Family United a $2,000 grant to provide transportation for veterans for both vaccination appointments and general medical appointments.  

• Veterans Families United – serves Tulsa/Oklahoma City metro area. 405-474-3467 

    
AARP Oklahoma is awarding ITNCentralOklahoma a $2,500 grant to provide transportation for seniors and visually impaired adults.  

• ITNCentralOklahoma – serves greater Oklahoma county area, including Norman. 405-602-1558 

 
AARP is dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age and advocate for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. The coronavirus pandemic has amplified chronic problems in long-term care, and AARP continues to advocate on behalf of Oklahoma’s most frail and vulnerable. 

- AARP offers comprehensive resources and services at aarp.org/coronavirus.
- For information on vaccinations in Oklahoma, visit aarp.org/okvaccine. 
- To learn about resources in Oklahoma such as vaccine availability, food, transportation, medical assistance and social services, visit HERE.