From Golfing Buddies to Meals on Wheels Volunteers
Peter Kowalczik and Russ Sharp have been golfing buddies for 10 years or so, and once they retired, they found a way to enhance their friendship by choosing VNA Meals on Wheels as a volunteer project they could share. Since 2020, the two CLC members have been delivering meals to clients monthly on CLC's Route 1306A, the "Fitzhugh" route.
Peter and Russ especially enjoy the fellowship and getting to know the people on the route as well as their idiosyncrasies. "It's a very fulfilling experience, and the clients are so appreciative," Russ says, "not to mention, greeting one client's pet chicken 'Henrietta' during delivery!" "It's an added bonus to see my friend regularly," comments Peter, "and we take the opportunity to enjoy lunch together after completing the route." Peter and Russ deepened their relationship through their volunteer work, allowing them the opportunity to discuss various repair projects, both at home and church, and their days in the oil and gas industry.
Not only is the Meals on Wheels experience rewarding, but they also experience the changes in the lives of their customers, often wondering what happens when one does not show up on the delivery list anymore. Additionally, they see changes in the neighborhood as gentrification takes root and wonder what will potentially happen to their clients. However, one thing that hasn't changed is the ongoing need for daily meals for seniors and people with mobility issues. CLC has had a Meals on Wheels team for over fifty years!
If you want to live out CLC's mission statement of "Reaching Out to Change Lives," join our Meals on Wheels Team! We work in pairs for safety and efficiency (plus it's more fun!). We pick up the prepackaged meals From Northway Christian Church (NW Highway and Airline Road) between 10:00 and 10:30 AM and deliver to a list of 6-8 clients, efficiently finishing by noon. We deliver to the client's front door and do not go inside the home. There is an online app where you can sign up for delivery dates that are convenient for you. You can do as many or as few days as you like. We have a great route (the "Fitzhugh" route) in East Dallas, East of 75 around Fitzhugh. It's a safe area and easy to drive and park. We see mostly the same clients each time and have gotten to know most of them over the years.
Not sure? We would love to have you ride along on one of our routes to see the experience. You can contact Ginger Hagens at [email protected] or one of our team members for more information or assistance with the volunteer signup on the App. You can also view the Meals on Wheels website at www.vnatexas.org. We would love to have you on our team!
Community Outreach Ministry
Peter Kowalczik and Russ Sharp have been golfing buddies for 10 years or so, and once they retired, they found a way to enhance their friendship by choosing VNA Meals on Wheels as a volunteer project they could share. Since 2020, the two CLC members have been delivering meals to clients monthly on CLC's Route 1306A, the "Fitzhugh" route.
Peter and Russ especially enjoy the fellowship and getting to know the people on the route as well as their idiosyncrasies. "It's a very fulfilling experience, and the clients are so appreciative," Russ says, "not to mention, greeting one client's pet chicken 'Henrietta' during delivery!" "It's an added bonus to see my friend regularly," comments Peter, "and we take the opportunity to enjoy lunch together after completing the route." Peter and Russ deepened their relationship through their volunteer work, allowing them the opportunity to discuss various repair projects, both at home and church, and their days in the oil and gas industry.
Not only is the Meals on Wheels experience rewarding, but they also experience the changes in the lives of their customers, often wondering what happens when one does not show up on the delivery list anymore. Additionally, they see changes in the neighborhood as gentrification takes root and wonder what will potentially happen to their clients. However, one thing that hasn't changed is the ongoing need for daily meals for seniors and people with mobility issues. CLC has had a Meals on Wheels team for over fifty years!
If you want to live out CLC's mission statement of "Reaching Out to Change Lives," join our Meals on Wheels Team! We work in pairs for safety and efficiency (plus it's more fun!). We pick up the prepackaged meals From Northway Christian Church (NW Highway and Airline Road) between 10:00 and 10:30 AM and deliver to a list of 6-8 clients, efficiently finishing by noon. We deliver to the client's front door and do not go inside the home. There is an online app where you can sign up for delivery dates that are convenient for you. You can do as many or as few days as you like. We have a great route (the "Fitzhugh" route) in East Dallas, East of 75 around Fitzhugh. It's a safe area and easy to drive and park. We see mostly the same clients each time and have gotten to know most of them over the years.
Not sure? We would love to have you ride along on one of our routes to see the experience. You can contact Ginger Hagens at [email protected] or one of our team members for more information or assistance with the volunteer signup on the App. You can also view the Meals on Wheels website at www.vnatexas.org. We would love to have you on our team!
Community Outreach Ministry
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