Wolf Scherer — Wolfie to those who know him — has spent years turning everyday drives into something far more meaningful. For Wolf, a volunteer with SCNOVA, every mile is a connection, and every ride is a reminder of what community looks like in action.
Wolf has lived in the Northern Virginia area for most of his life and built a long career in IT — work that gave him stability and, eventually, the time in retirement to give back in ways that working life rarely allows. When the Shepherd’s Center invited him to volunteer as a driver, he saw it as a natural next chapter. “At a certain point, when you’ve kind of made it happen, it’s time to give it back,” he says. “That’s just how I am.” Retirement, he’s found, can give you just as much meaning as a full career (and even a little bit extra).
More Than a Ride: A Connection to Community
Ask Wolf about the participants he drives, and the stories come easily. He drove one man three times a week for treatment of memory issues — someone close to Wolf’s own age who became a genuine friend.
Then there’s Lalita, a participant Wolf has been driving since 2023 — and a connection that turned out to run deeper than either of them expected. Lalita used to volunteer at the Shepherd’s Center herself, and she even knew one of Wolf’s favorite teachers from his school days. Their rides have settled into a warm routine, punctuated by Wolf’s standing check-in: “How are you doing on lemonade?” — a nod to Lalita’s love of a particular brand (Turkey Hill). Whenever their route takes them near a Walmart, Wolf makes a stop to pick up a jug for her.
Wolf has also shown up for Lalita between rides — helping when her internet router went down or her phone needed troubleshooting. For many participants, having someone dependable to call when they need help is a huge relief. (SCNOVA’s Handy Helper program also connects participants with support for minor home repairs and everyday tasks.)
Independence, Dignity, and Connection Matter
For many older adults, choosing not to drive — or finding that it’s no longer an option — does not have to mean losing independence or dignity. It can, however, mean losing access to the medical appointments, social connections, and daily activities that make life full (and healthy!). Volunteer drivers like Wolf help ensure that never has to happen, offering not just transportation, but companionship, reliability, and genuine care.
Every Ride is a Commitment To Helping Others
Wolf has logged more than 3,400 volunteer hours for SCNOVA — a number that reflects years of showing up, including through some of the program’s most challenging stretches. During the early days of the pandemic, when many drivers stepped back, Wolf kept going. “The need was there,” he says simply.
That dedication was recognized last year when Wolf received the National Volunteer Award from Aging Forward — an honor that reflects not just hours logged, but the depth of care he brings to every single ride. For Wolf, though, it has never been about recognition. It’s about the people.
However, you don’t need to commit to thousands of hours to make a real difference. Even a handful of rides a month — whatever fits your life — helps SCNOVA participants get to the appointments and activities that keep them connected, healthy, and thriving.
What It Takes to Be a Volunteer Driver
Wolf’s advice for anyone thinking about volunteering is refreshingly simple: be willing to meet new people, and enjoy being behind the wheel. Volunteer drivers set their own schedules, choose the rides that work for their routes, and drive their own cars. Most people living in this area are already driving — being part of SCNOVA just means those miles can do something extraordinary for someone else.
If you feel ready to put something back into the community — even just a few hours a month — there’s a seat and a rider waiting for you.
Interested in becoming a volunteer driver? You set the schedule. You choose the routes. You drive your own car. Apply here!