Actor Morgan Freeman has nothing on Brent Pickard.
In the popular movie Driving Miss Daisy, Freeman’s character only had to chauffer one person – Pickard is aiming for the entire Bow Valley, and then some.
“The first objective was to provide just an outstanding, essential and growing community service in the Bow Valley,” Pickard said towards the Driving Miss Daisy transportation business. “We don’t give a ride, that’s a four letter word – we accompany people on various kinds of appointments.”
The company’s roots go back to 2002, when Driving Miss Daisy commenced in St. Albert with the simple but much needed operating plan of offering seniors and people with mobility issues, a safe, reliable and friendly transportation service that caters to individual needs.
The prospering company currently has franchises in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario. Pickard’s Bow Valley franchise is the 54th to open in the country – thanks in part to a growing seniors’ population demographic.
The service will offer transportation and assistance for everything from medical to family and social appointments for Bow Valley residents.
“When I was doing my Driving Miss Daisy apprenticeship, I picked up a mother at her residence and took her to her doctor where she got her prescription renewal. We went to Safeway and gave them the prescription ... and I said, ‘well mom, do you have any groceries to pick up?’ ” Pickard said to highlight the personalized, individual service Driving Miss Daisy offers its clientele over other transportation services.
“Her prescriptions were filled, we checked out and I took her home, made sure all the prescriptions were there and I offered to put the groceries away ... and that’s what we do, that’s the kind of service we provide,” said Pickard.
“The baby boomers are starting to get to where they need people to help their parents, and knowing eventually they will be there themselves,” said Bob Doornenbal, director of marketing and sales for Driving Miss Daisy, on the success and continuing growth the company is witnessing.
“It really goes beyond seniors too, it’s really for anybody. My wife owns a franchise in Peterborough (Ont.) and her youngest client is eight years old and her oldest is 94. We may spend an hour with a client, but only 15 minutes of it is in the car.”
“I’m just so glad to be involved and it is a great service to offer seniors who are very near and dear and close to my heart,” said Stephanie Andrews, Driving Miss Daisy manager. “Brent and I met and it really worked ... it’s going to be a local service that will enhance what is available to seniors and the community.”
For more information on areas, rates and destination, contact Driving Miss Daisy Bow Valley services at, email: [email protected] or call 403-609-1460.
