On an “island within an island,” Chappaquiddick’s residents, somewhat cut off from the rest of the Vineyard community and its services, can experience isolation even deeper than the rest of the Island. Particularly vulnerable to this is Chappy’s elderly population, who often are unable to drive and can face travel challenges.
To make transportation more accessible, two elder advocacy groups, the Edgartown Council on Aging (COA) and Healthy Aging M.V., partnered to create Chappy Connect, a free, door-to-door transportation service for Chappy residents ages 60 and older.
And a year into the service, for some residents, it’s become a lifeline that allows them to remain on the smaller island. In 2025, Chappy Connect conducted a total of 397 rides, according to the 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment by Island Health Care.
Launched last April, the service picks up residents from their homes and drives them to medical appointments, the grocery store, errands, and social activities. Edgartown COA Director Lyndsay Famariss said that concerns about the well-being of elderly Chappy residents inspired them to act.
“We were very concerned about the isolation of older adults on Chappy,” Famariss said. “We just want people to feel a part of the community, whatever that looks for them.”
Healthy Aging M.V. Executive Director Cindy Trish described Chappy Connect as a “lifeline,” a term also often associated with the Chappy Ferry or even the Steamship Authority, for elderly people’s physical health and social well-being.
The service means “consistent access to healthcare and the ability to do other things, including stopping at Dairy Queen for ice cream,” Trish said.
To schedule a ride, passengers must call the COA by Thursday at 3 pm to be on the upcoming week’s agenda. Passengers are allowed to bring a companion with them, and the accommodation of last-minute stops is up to the driver’s discretion.
Under the operators of the Chappy Ferry, Peter Wells and Sally Snipes, Chappy Connect could bypass the ferry line to ensure that passengers can arrive at their appointments punctually. Incoming ferry owner Brian Scall told The Times that he doesn’t plan on changing that policy.
Initial funding for Chappy Connect came from Chappy Point to Point, an annual road race that raises money for initiatives serving the Chappy community. As a part of the conditions to receive this funding, Chappy Connect uses an electric vehicle, and there’s a designated charger on the Chappy side of the harbor.
Avery Dewing, a driver for Chappy Connect, said that the program gives its elderly passengers more autonomy and relieves responsibility from their family members.
“They’ve regained some independence by not having to rely on family members,” Dewing said. “It could be a point of stress to be making your kids bring you to the grocery store, and then they have to rush.”
Dewing, whose grandmother has lived on Chappy for 40 years, enjoys interacting with his passengers.
“It’s been a fun experience to hang out with all the old-timers on Chappy,” Dewing, who lives with his grandmother, said. “They all know my grandmother, and they knew my grandfather too. It definitely helps with making [the rides] more comfortable.”
Dewing first learned about Chappy Connect from his grandmother, who frequently goes to the COA. He said that although many of the elderly passengers are initially hesitant to use the service, they ultimately enjoy using it.
“My grandmother needs a little bit of coaxing because she’s a homebody, and a lot of seniors are that way,” Dewing said. “Once they try it, they’re much more likely to use it again. Pretty much every person that’s tried it ends up calling back for more rides.”
Dewing added that there are challenges to informing residents about the service.
“Some people are hard to reach on Chappy. There are some people that are not exactly hermits, but they’re elderly,” he said. “They don’t use the internet, and you know they don’t have access to information.”
Bob and Marvene O’Rourke use Chappy Connect about one to three times per week for medical appointments and trips to the grocery store. Marvene said that the assistance she receives from the Chappy Connect drivers, such as with transporting Bob’s rollator walker, is relieving.
“What surprised me most was how much pressure, stress, and anxiety having somebody else drive took away from me,” Marvene said. “I’m quite capable …, but I’m always grateful when I get a helping hand.”
Marvene also admires the care and dedication of drivers like Dewing. She said that Dewing shoveled snow out of her driveway last winter.
“Avery is a wonderful and kind person,” Marvene said. “I joke with Lindsay [Famariss] that if Avery could, he would carry us individually to the car.”
Marvene, who serves as co-chair of the COA Board, expressed her gratitude to the COA for funding Chappy Connect.
“’I’m grateful to the town for agreeing to pay for part of the expenses,” she said. “Sometimes people who don’t live on Chappy don’t realize how difficult it can be for us as we age to get to appointments.”
Bob echoed Marvene’s sentiments.
“It gets more difficult as you get older, and somebody who is single needs all the help they can get,” Bob said. “As isolated as we are, it’s a wonderful service to have that transportation back and forth.”
Judith Buss, another Chappy senior resident, uses Chappy Connect about two to three times per week for physical, occupational, and speech therapy appointments. Buss, a stroke survivor who wears a gait belt and requires assistance with walking, appreciates the drivers’ politeness and the timeliness of the service.
“They’re prompt and pleasant, and we don’t have to wait in line for the ferry,” Buss said.
Buss’ husband, Paul Cardello, highlighted the usefulness of Chappy Connect since Vineyard Transit Authority buses don’t operate on Chappy.
“It’s less stressful for us knowing that getting over to our point, we can be there on time,” Cardello said. “It’s the door-to-door service that makes it outstanding.”
Mary Dimattia, a Chappy resident, uses Chappy Connect once a week for medical appointments, errands, and for coffee runs at Espresso Love in Edgartown. She said that being able to grab coffee and shop at the grocery store feels empowering.
“It definitely gets me out of the house,” Dimattia said. “You feel like you’ve accomplished something.”
Dimattia, who has significant visual impairments and lives with her husband and two sons, said that her family wouldn’t be able to stay on Chappy without the service.
“More people need to know about it,” she said. “It’s an important service to be able to survive out here.”