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Transportation Program Volunteer Stories

Below, you’ll find a list of our amazing volunteers — and their stories — participating in Giving Tuesday, along with the miles they’ve traveled from June 1 to October 31, 2025. Combined, our volunteers traveled 31,002 miles during that time.

Bruce: 8,412 Miles

I am a 74 year old recovering retiree. I have had 2 periods of recovery. One a very long time, and currently, 6 years clean and sober. I am active in my recovery network both local and state.

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Anne Marie: 6,737 Miles

I started at the age of 13 years old, and for 36 years, I chased the feeling that I got from that first drink. I added loads of drugs, did three rehabs, and tried to sober up my way multiple times and it never worked.

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Julie O’Neil: 285 Miles

My name is Julie O’Neil, I am 40 years old, and I am a proud and active member of Portland Maine’s recovery community. On September 23rd, I celebrated 5 years clean and sober from drugs and alcohol.

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Lonny Martin: 210 Miles

Lonny moved to Maine from Massachusetts 30 years ago and has been deeply committed to supporting his community ever since. After overcoming a decade-long struggle with substance and alcohol addiction, he found recovery and has thrived.

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Jason Mungin: 404 Miles

I’m Jason Mungin, 37 years old, and have 3+ years in recovery. For a long time, I was trapped in a cycle of substance use that took away more than I ever expected — my health, trust from loved ones, and my sense of purpose.

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AJ Samson: 650 Miles

My name is AJ Samson, and I grew up in Harrison, Maine on a farm. I have six sisters and one brother, and we all take care of each other as kids. I’ve been battling addiction for quite some time now, and I’m 21 months clean and sober.

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Randy Beard: 425 Miles

For too many years, when I was ready to try to get sober, the lack of resources weren’t there, and when they were, I couldn’t get to them.

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Maddy Pierce: 559 Miles

My name is Maddy Pierce. Just under two years ago, I attended a Pal Group Meeting. I had several friends who had loved ones with one Addiction or another.

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Jackie Bennett

Jackie Bennett: 5,898 Miles

My name is Jackie, and I am in long-term recovery. I answered the call for a transportation need. A woman in South Portland wanted a ride to detox. She thanked me before even getting in the car. The radio never got turned on. She talked and I listened. We cryed, laughed, and talked…I shared my experience, strength, and hope.

 

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Bruce

I am a 74 year old recovering retiree. I have had 2 periods of recovery. One a very long time, and currently, 6 years clean and sober. I am active in my recovery network both local and state.

I started volunteering for AccessDirect in the spring. It keeps it fresh for me. There is nothing better than getting someone sick and suffering to treatment. I usually share some of my story and tell them I look forward to seeing them in a meeting sometime.

Then, a month or so later, walking into a meeting and seeing “the change.” The smile, a glint in the eye, and a friendly greeting. There is nothing better.

Anne Marie

I started at the age of 13 years old, and for 36 years, I chased the feeling that I got from that first drink. I added loads of drugs, did three rehabs, and tried to sober up my way multiple times and it never worked.

I surrendered August 4th, 2009 after thinking about suicide the day before, and I walked into the halls of Alcoholics Anonymous a week later. I have never looked back and still have the same willingness today that I had back then to just stay clean and sober.

I celebrated 16 continuous years in August of this year.

Julie O’Neil

My name is Julie O’Neil, I am 40 years old, and I am a proud and active member of Portland Maine’s recovery community. On September 23rd, I celebrated 5 years clean and sober from drugs and alcohol. Recovery has allowed me to give back to my community while creating a life that is healthy, purposeful, and rich in connection. I grew up on Cape Cod with a loving family — both parents and an older sister who is also my best friend. I played sports, was the captain and MVP of my basketball team, and got all A’s. On the other hand, and behind closed doors to start, I loved to party.

My addiction to opioids began when I was 15 and was prescribed Vicodin by my doctor for pain. I eventually became an IV drug user and have been to more detoxes, sober houses, treatments centers, halfway houses, and homeless shelters than I could ever count. I will be forever grateful for my family and their efforts and attempts to try and help me get better. It was because of their suggestion/plea and financial support that I was sent up to Portland, after being essentially rescued by my sister off Mass Avenue in Boston.

I am truly grateful for my life today. Sponsoring other women in AA has been one of the most beautiful and challenging experiences of my life. It’s not always easy, but it’s deeply meaningful- and I will continue to do it as part of my recovery. I love volunteering for AccessDirect because it is such a unique and powerful organization that I wish was around when my treatment journey started at 22.

My goal is to provide hope for the person I am transporting, and I strive to connect with each individual personally, every ride. My family loves to have me down the Cape for visits, and today, my mom can sleep at night. My nephew Jack is almost 7 — he is my world and looks up to me as a safe person. I will be forever grateful for those who helped me along my journey, and I feel lucky to be able to show up as a safe and trusted person for other people on theirs.

Lonny Martin

Lonny moved to Maine from Massachusetts 30 years ago and has been deeply committed to supporting his community ever since. After overcoming a decade-long struggle with substance and alcohol addiction, he found recovery and has thrived.

A former firefighter for the town of Scarborough, Lonny also served as Vice President of Scarborough Little League for nine years, demonstrating his dedication to service and leadership. Today, Lonny is a certified recovery coach and peer support advocate. He also became a certified umpire for Western Maine Umpires Associates and has a seat on the Board of Directors.

Lonny works as a partnership manager for Better Life Partners, where he specializes in connecting individuals facing substance and alcohol use disorders with critical resources and support.

Lonny also served on the Board of Directors for MARR (Maine Association for Recovery Residents) where he takes pride being on the executive council. He believes in the vision and mission of assisting recovery housing across the state.

Lonny takes pride in assisting others on their recovery journey, drawing from his experiences to inspire hope and perseverance. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and friends, meeting others in recovery, attending concerts, and traveling to explore new cultures.

Jason Mungin

I'm Jason Mungin, 37 years old, and have 3+ years in recovery. For a long time, I was trapped in a cycle of substance use that took away more than I ever expected — my health, trust from loved ones, and my sense of purpose. Recovery wasn’t quick or easy. It began the day I admitted I couldn’t do it alone and decided to ask for help. Step by step, through support groups and treatment programs, I started to rebuild my life.

One of the biggest lessons recovery taught me was gratitude — especially for the people who showed up when I had nothing to give back. Now, volunteering as a driver gives me the chance to do the same for others. Most of the people I drive are heading to sober living homes or treatment centers, and I see myself in them. Every ride is a reminder of how important it is to have someone believe in you, even when you’re struggling to believe in yourself.

Driving might seem small, but for me, it’s a way to stay connected, stay grounded, and keep giving forward the grace that helped me get here. Recovery gave me freedom, and now I use my wheels to help others find theirs.

AJ Samson

My name is AJ Samson, and I grew up in Harrison, Maine on a farm. I have six sisters and one brother, and we all take care of each other as kids. I've been battling addiction for quite some time now, and I'm 21 months clean and sober. My whole life has changed since I got into recovery, and what I do with recovery is very loud!

I do as much volunteering as I can, and giving back is one thing that keeps my recovery strong. Helping others by meeting them where they're at with their addiction, and helping them take their first step and bettering their lives. Working with AccessDirect Recovery Network and the Portland Recovery Community Center has been essential to my recovery and helping others through their recovery. Just providing a helping hand or an ear to listen to helps me stay strong.

Randy Beard

For too many years, when I was ready to try to get sober, the lack of resources weren’t there, and when they were, I couldn’t get to them. AccessDirect Recovery Network has helped make both those things easier and more accessible for people.

And I’m grateful to have the opportunity to be of service!

Maddy Pierce

My name is Maddy Pierce. Just under two years ago, I attended a Pal Group Meeting. I had several friends who had loved ones with one Addiction or another. I wanted to know how I could support my friends with everything they were going through.

My heart was touched at what I heard at these meetings. I never had a clue that it’s such a traumatizing disease. I would go home and pray for these families (especially their loved ones). One day, God spoke with me, telling me that I could serve by helping with transporting these individuals to detox, rehab, sober living, etc.

I reached out to Ryan Paige from AccessDirect and asked how I could do this. Ryan hooked me right up. Since then, I have freely given my time when possible. I am allowed to get to know these BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE during the transports. Some talk eagerly and others just want to be quiet and maybe even sleep. I respect them from where and how they come.

Early on, I realized that many of them had not eaten in quite a while, so I started to provide them with drinks and snacks on the trip. That’s a big hit!

AccessDirect is such a Godsend to many, many people. It is possibly the last lifeline that so many people need. WE need more businesses like this one. AcessDirect could not do this without the financial support of the public.

If you have it in your heart to give to this organization, please give freely and often.

Jackie Bennett

Jackie Bennett

My name is Jackie, and I am in long-term recovery. I answered the call for a transportation need. A woman in South Portland wanted a ride to detox. She thanked me before even getting in the car. The radio never got turned on. She talked and I listened. We cryed, laughed, and talked...I shared my experience, strength, and hope.

I continued to volunteer for personal reasons. I used to be a drunk driver and now I am giving back hopeful solutions to society. Also my son struggled to get help so needed. He lost his battle on December 9th, 2022.

AccessDirect Recovery has changed my life and countless others in such a short amount of time, breaking the stigma and barriers for a brighter future. Please consider donating or being part of the solution...people helping people.