STRIPES back on the road for another year

The organization gave almost twice as many students rides as they did in fall 2009’s first weekend.

By Lauren Bale

Published Aug. 31, 2010

STRIPES, a program providing free rides to students in need of safe passage home, began operating for the new academic year last weekend. The organization, comprised entirely of student volunteers, gave rides to 824 students between Thursday and Saturday nights, almost twice as many as the 440 given during fall 2009’s first weekend.

STRIPES Public Relations Manager and senior Andrew Worrall said the weekend could have been the busiest one the organization has experienced in its history.

“I can tell you right now our ride count was 824 for all three nights, possibly a new record,” Worrall said.

STRIPES runs regularly on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. Drivers can pick up or drop off anywhere in Columbia.

The program was created by four MU students in 2001 and has grown rapidly since then. Worrall said 7,422 rides were provided last semester. The organization hopes to reach a total of 100,000 rides since its founding by the end of this semester, much sooner than previously anticipated.

Worrall became involved with STRIPES in 2008, after talking to a volunteer driver.

“I was taking STRIPES as a freshman, and after doing a story on them I thought, ‘This is kind of cool,’” he said.

Head of Fundraising Amanda Morgan and Membership Chairwoman Sarah Bustamante both joined in 2008 for similar reasons.

“It seemed like a really fun volunteer experience,” Bustamante said.

Morgan and Bustamante agreed that there has never been a dull night while volunteering for STRIPES.

“This one kid said he needed a ride for two,” Bustamante said. “When I got there it was him and a huge blow-up doll.”

STRIPES spends $1,200 a night providing rides for students. The program is an auxiliary of the Missouri Students Association, and the necessary funds are in part comprised of student fees.

“Money comes mostly from MU funding, as well as grants and donations from companies,” Morgan said.

Morgan also said STRIPES holds several fundraisers, such as a golf outing and a gala. Worrall said STRIPES sponsors do a great job of providing the organization with supplies.

“It’s a big number, but our sponsors are great,” Worrall said. “If we need food or anything, Gumby’s is really good at providing it to us for free.”

Worrall also said the organization was doing everything it could to limit wait times, including increasing the number of cars in operation.

“We’ve been adding a new car every night,” he said. “We had seven on Thursday, and tonight (on Saturday) we have 10 cars in operation. We are always working on cutting back wait times. However, to be efficient, we can’t take reservations.”

Each STRIPES car is equipped with a cell phone, a GPS, maps and an ample supply of water bottles.

Before each night of operation, the team of volunteer students receives a briefing on how to handle passengers and any emergencies that might arise.

Worall says the commitment of the volunteers is what keeps STRIPES running.

“The dedication from members is incredible,” he said. “We ask for five nights, and they come for 20. It’s awesome to see them want to help their peers. They devote their time because they feel it’s the right thing to do for them.”