SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – At nearly 92 years old, Carolyn Faubert is not letting age slow her down. The longtime volunteer just got a new ride to help her serve the North Country.
For Faubert, age is just a number. But miles mean more.
“I drive like 600 miles a week, so I feel secure in it,” said Faubert of Malone, New York.
At 91, Faubert dedicates her time to transporting Medicaid patients to and from appointments in her signature yellow Volkswagen Bug.
“On my last cars, I had, 350,000 was the lowest mileage I had on any of my cars, and the last two or three cars I had over 400,000,” Faubert said.
She’s a volunteer driver with North Country nonprofit JCEO.
“I’ve been driving 25 years,” Faubert said.
Her last yellow Beetle was totaled in an accident this past fall. She’s been searching for the right replacement ever since. For her, the yellow Beetle is more than a car. It’s part of her identity.
“I have a blue one at home, but that’s my color,” Faubert said.
Shearer Volkswagen of South Burlington made her dream come true Friday, shipping the rare ride in from Wisconsin.
“I asked them if they had a yellow beetle here and they said no. I said, if you can find one, I would like one. And he made several calls and worked on it a long time and that’s how I ended up with it,” Faubert said.
After the crash, Faubert’s family and friends felt concerned about her safety on the roads. But she’s determined to keep serving her community.
“I feel secure on the road because everyone knows me and my car. And if I got in trouble, they would stop,” Faubert said.
When asked why she still spends her days driving, her answer was simple.
“Well, because I don’t want to get old. I just want to stay doing what I’ve always done,” Faubert said.
