They Drive the Meals Program

Longtime Meals-on-Wheels Volunteers Honored by Governor

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It is impossible to celebrate the delivery of the 6,000,000th meal by our Meals-on-Wheels program without also celebrating the volunteers who make those meal deliveries happen.

And there have been thousands of them, over the course of the 54+ years in which our program has operated, who, rain or shine, have faithfully arrived to pick up their meals and drive them–in their own cars, using their own gas–to their destinations, the homes of those older adults enrolled in our Meals-on-Wheels program.

At this year’s milestone celebration Governor Roy Cooper and First Lady Kristin Cooper were on hand not only to deliver meals to several of our meal recipients, including Ms. Rosalie Young, age 91, the recipient of the “official ceremonial” 6,000,000th meal but also to recognize and congratulate our longest-serving Meals-on-Wheels volunteers.  The dedicated veterans of the meal-delivery program who were honored by the governor with official state certificates of appreciation were Ruth and James Corn, Kay and Paul Crossland and Bob Stern, who have all been delivering meals for more than 30 years, and Myrtie Davis, who has been delivering meals for more than 40 years.

Davis, who has, in fact, been delivering meals for more than 43 years, wanted to share the day’s spotlight with those countless individuals–the “precious people” she has gotten to know during the course of her years as a Meals-on-Wheels volunteer.  Noting the optimism, gratitude, patience and great faith of so many of them, she said, ” I am so grateful for those 43 years and delight in continuing to serve Meals-on-Wheels, sharing food, praise songs and hymns, hugs, prayers and love.” Also, as a member of the Treble Makers, a group that has, for 20 years, sung weekly at nursing homes and retirement centers, Davis participates in the fundraiser they have each November to benefit Meals-on-Wheels. “We are so thankful for so many in the community who give so generously in concern for our seniors.”

It is with tremendous gratitude that Senior Services recognizes the importance of the work our volunteers do and the positive impact they have on the lives of those seniors who are often at the door eagerly awaiting their arrival and looking forward to a brief chat, a visit, or a hug, as well as the hot, nourishing meal.

The food provides nourishment for the body, but, as it has long been said, it is the caring visits of our dedicated, compassionate volunteers that provide nourishment for the soul.

Thank you, volunteers, for the miles you’ve driven and the love you’ve given.

 


 


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