For Christine Martin and Bryan Patrick, one simple idea made a big difference in the lives of several older Sumner County residents. Christine, Executive Director at Community Life Bridge, and Bryan, owner of DadWagons, teamed up to create a local excursion that paired Bryan’s driving skills with the joy and curiosity of the seniors Christine serves.

Community Life Ride, a long-standing program at Community Life Bridge, helps residents ages 60 and older—who can no longer drive—get to their essential appointments. DadWagons, on the other hand, is a company dedicated to helping people in and around Nashville experience the city in unforgettable ways. Their motto says it all: “rad dads, rad rides, and bad jokes.”

The Rider Socials program at Community Life Ride began in 2020, in response to the isolation many older adults experienced during the pandemic. Staff and volunteers recognized how deeply seniors longed for connection. With that in mind, they set a new goal: to create community-focused rides that not only met practical needs but also provided opportunities to socialize, share experiences, and form lasting friendships. They also wanted riders to see more of their hometown, support local businesses, and strengthen community ties in Sumner County.

“We met with our riders at the beginning of the year and asked, ‘What would you want to do?’ The room agreed they wanted to visit historical sites,” Christine shared. “Realizing there would be some challenges with mobility, we had to get creative. That’s when I reached out to Bryan at DadWagons.”

Bryan eagerly agreed to partner with Christine, designing an experience that blended history, connection, and laughter. For him, saying “yes” was about more than simply lending a hand. Early in his time providing transportation, he had driven an elderly gentleman to visit his wife, who was living with dementia. After more than 70 trips, that journey blossomed into a friendship that lasted a lifetime and inspired Bryan to serve older adults with care and dignity.

“When Christine called me to explain the idea, I was like, ‘This is incredible,’” Bryan recalled. “Without question, I loved it. Let’s do it.”

Bryan got to work right away—mapping out a route that fit into the one-hour timeframe, driving it in advance, and preparing fun tidbits of history to share along the way. On the day of the tour, he greeted riders with plenty of jokes (the cheesier, the better) and was delighted to hear their laughter fill the bus.

“He did a phenomenal job accommodating the group. Twelve people got to be a part of the day, and each of them loved the chance to be on the bus. Everyone was asking when we could go again,” Christine said.

One of the highlights was learning a quirky piece of local history: the connection between New Shackle Island Road and the prohibition era. Bryan explained that locals once pointed people “to the shack” when they needed their whiskey fix. Little touches like these made the ride both educational and entertaining.

For Christine and Bryan, this first outing was just the beginning. They hope to offer more Rider Socials in the months ahead, weaving joy and friendship into experiences that help older adults feel seen, valued, and connected.

If you know someone over 60 who could benefit from the care and connection of Community Life Ride, reach out to Christine at Community Life Bridge. Every day, their team helps older adults not only get where they need to go but also rediscover the beauty of their community.

With DadWagons, every ride is designed to be memorable—whether it’s a quick airport run or a tour of downtown. Bryan and his team of “Dadmirals” and “Mommadores” bring the same mix of safety, fun, and unforgettable stories that made the seniors’ outing such a success. Learn more at dadwagons.com