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Until George Taylor, 92, seriously injured himself in a fall last February, he and his wife, Edie, 89, drove to doctor appointments, the grocery store and church.

After the accident, the Franklin Park couple became homebound and had to rely on the kindness of neighbors for transportation.

"We had a problem getting to the doctor for appointments. The neighbors were very helpful, but we didn't want to burden them," Edie Taylor said. "Then at the beginning of summer we heard about Faith in Action and since then, it has made our lives a lot easier. I don't know what we would do without them."

A service of North Hills Community Outreach in Hampton, Faith in Action is a national initiative that matches volunteer caregivers with seniors in need. Volunteers provide a variety of non-medical services, including transportation, home visits and safety checks, and light chores.

The local program is in dire need of volunteers, said Cathy Pschirer, Faith in Action team leader.

Last year, 109 volunteers helped 445 individuals. There are currently more than 100 senior citizens on the waiting list for Faith in Action help, Pschirer said.

"We're becoming a little overwhelmed, especially for volunteers to help with transportation," said Pschirer, who noted that volunteer drivers must be at least 21 years old.

Many of the volunteers develop close relationships with those they help, Pschirer said. "It's a great way to give back to the community."

Volunteers Jeannie Nolan, of Franklin Park, and Ali Heimbuecher, of McCandless, are more than helpmates to the Taylor's. They've become their friends.

"They become a part of your life," Edie Taylor said. "They're very dedicated to the program. I believe they would take me anywhere I wanted to go. For George's birthday, Jeannie stopped by with balloons and cake."

After retiring in July from Hickory Hills Rental Offices in McCandless, Heimbuecher, 74, decided to volunteer with Faith in Action.

"I had time on my hands and I wanted to do something meaningful with my life," she said.

A dedicated volunteer, Heimbuecher also serves as a Eucharistic Minister at St. Alexis Catholic Church in McCandless, and every Sunday brings communion to a resident at St. Alexis Manor.

"The people are so grateful when I'm with them," Heimbuecher said. "It makes me feel so good to know I'm giving back to God for all the blessings he's given me."

For more information and to become a volunteer, call Ginny Giles at 412-487-6316.

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