Our Volunteers are truly "the greatest"! And that is twice as true for
the
two amazing ladies in the picture; Belle Smith (left) and Rita Irving
(right). They both started volunteering with Mount Dennis-Weston Meals
on
Wheels through their churches in 1967. They both were involved in
cooking
hot lunches themselves and delivering them from the very beginning of
this
agency.
For 40 years, we have been twice as fortunate to have them come
in
and help with the delivery of meals every week. Both Rita and Belle have
supported our services in many other ways too, like by packing dozens of
Christmas Baskets every holiday season. And they remember the many
volunteers who used to prepare the meals and pick them up from the
hospitals, volunteers who have moved away or passed on, but whose legacy
remains. The agency, and the community as a whole, will be forever
indebted
to all those volunteers, including of course Rita and Belle.
Our Volunteers: Belle Smith
In 1967, the program was known as "Meals on Wheels". At that time, I was
asked to volunteer delivering meals to the local folks who were in need
of
some outside assistance in this regard. I will always remember Edna
Dean,
who originally started the idea to provide this service. Norma Silcox,
from
Central United Church, and Hertha McAlhone from Westminster United, are
the
two ladies that I remember working so hard to make the Meals on Wheels
program what it is today. In the beginning, several members from each of
the
local churches, and also the legions, banded together with the volunteers
to
begin this program.
When I first came on the scene, the different ladies from the churches
would
prepare the meals in their own homes. Each would bring their "donation"
to
the church kitchen. We would pack the meals in foil containers, wrap them
in
foil, and put them into whatever cartons we could find, and then off we
would go. We would all take turns each preparing these meals on a weekly
basis, and we would feel we were accomplishing a big act of kindness to
help
the seniors in our area.
I started volunteering one day a month. Then the need arose for help
either
in the Silverthorn area, or one day per week. I have done my best to be
available one day a week instead. There have been many changes in the
services provided since those early days. I'm happy to still do my small
part with such a great organization.
Written by Belle Smith
Our Volunteers: Rita Irving
You could say that Rita Irving has been delivering Meals on Wheels most
of
her life, not just the 40 years that she has been a volunteer driver at
Humber Community Seniors' Services Inc. Raised in Bay Bulls,
Newfoundland,
Rita credits her grandmother for teaching her the importance of
community
and volunteerism at an early age. Rita describes her grandmother as
cooking
for "every sick person in town" and giving Rita, as a small girl, the
responsibility for delivering the baskets of food, summer or winter.
Rita became involved with Meals on Wheels through the Church of the Good
Shepherd in 1967, where she helped cook meals. She has been active as a
driver ever since. One of Rita's most memorable moments delivering Meals
on
Wheels involves watching the first man walk on the moon in the living
room
of a meal recipient, while out on her route. In addition to volunteering
as
a driver, Rita helps with the Christmas Baskets and did all the Dominion
tapes additions for the Save-A-Tape fund-raising program until last year.
In
2004, Rita received the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award for her
volunteer involvement with us and other community agencies, such as her
work
as a canvasser with the Canadian Cancer Society's annual campaign.
When asked why she likes volunteering in the Meals on Wheels program,
Rita
noted the importance of clients having a regular connection with the
outside
world. Rita described herself as thankful that she is able to help
others.
When she's not delivering meals, Rita can be found laughing with
friends,
bowling or knitting. It is a pleasure to know Rita, a woman with a
strong
sense of compassion for clients, a warm heart and last but not least, a
great sense of humour.
Written by Jennifer Smith
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