CARPOOL grooms leaders and saves lives.

By Mikaela Davis ‘09

A night of drinking and the decision to drive cost Jeff Schiefelbein ’00 18 months of probation, 60 hours of community service and a suspended license. Those consequences led him to become an activist on the DWI issue.

And in September 1999, Caring Aggies R Protecting Over Our Lives (CARPOOL), an official Texas A&M University student-run organization, was born.

It’s a Bird! It’s a Plane! It’s CARPOOL!
CARPOOL runs like a motivated superhero of the night, providing free rides to drivers who have had too much to drink and to others who need safe transportation home. True to its strict moral code, the nonprofit organization offers a nonjudgmental ride between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays in Bryan/College Station. On those nights during fall and spring semesters, 45 student volunteers stand by waiting for their chance to give a lift and possibly save a life.

Learning From Experience
CARPOOL leaders and volunteers learn valuable lessons that often transfer to the business world. Caleb Phillips ’08, a CARPOOL member for six semesters, uses his experience to mentor new volunteers. "Without these personal bonds, CARPOOL wouldn’t work," he said. "The group interaction between Aggies is the backbone of our organization."

Volunteers are also united in giving back. CARPOOL is "community service defined," Phillips said. "It’s a rewarding feeling when I take someone home and then see them safe on campus the next day."

"Aggies Take Care of Aggies"
CARPOOL’s growing popularity is a mixed blessing: waiting lines of patrons, especially at Northgate, can be long. On a typical night, 17 or 18 cars and 45 student volunteers drive more than 200 students home, but sometimes the number of rides exceeds 400. From its inception through summer 2009, CARPOOL has given safe rides to about 150,000 patrons. Meeting demand will take more vehicles and student volunteers -- and a sizable operating fund.

To alleviate financial pressure, CARPOOL--like many A&M student organizations--has an endowment managed by the Texas A&M Foundation. CARPOOL leaders hope to raise $2 million for their 3-year-old endowment so its interest can meet annual budget needs of $125,000 to $160,000. So far, they have raised about $75,000.

The organization’s largest source of operating income is an annual gala, a formal dinner followed by a live and silent auction. In 2008, the gala brought in $46,000. The 2009 gala, hurt by the weak economy, brought in $10,000. Gala director Laura Wolken ’10 has high hopes for the March 6, 2010, gala, which celebrates CARPOOL’s 10th anniversary. "Though we are working on a smaller budget than last year, I do hope to raise more. I hope the economy swings in our favor."

This is an excerpt from an article first published in the fall 2009 issue of Spirit magazine. Since the printing of this article CARPOOL has encountered some financial difficulties stemming from the economy and been forced to temporarily suspend services.

To make an immediate financial impact on CARPOOL operations, you can make a credit card gift here by selecting "Student Activities" and "CARPOOL Endowed Operating Fund" from the two drop-down menus and indicating "For current use" in the Special Instructions/Comments box. You can also submit check contributions made out to "CARPOOL" to 127 John J. Koldus Building, College Station, TX 77843-1236.

Ask the HR department at your company if they will support Texas A&M through an employee matching gift program. A match could double, triple or even quadruple your gift to CARPOOL.

To learn how you can make a significant contribution to the CARPOOL endowment, contact Cindy Munson ’99, assistant director of development for student affairs, at (800) 392-3310 or (979) 458-1689.