Mimi & Wayne Dill
When did you first start volunteering with ACCA? Why did you choose ACCA specifically?
I (Mimi) started volunteering with ACCA in 1989 and Wayne joined her after his retirement in 2008. After experiencing several volunteer opportunities in the Athens area, I really felt that I enjoyed working with Meals On Wheels the most.
Was this your first time volunteering in the community or with ACCA?
No. I (Mimi) volunteered with the Food Bank and through various church activities before settling on ACCA’s Meals On Wheels program as my non-profit of choice.
What led you to work with older adults?
The connections and friendships were one of the main reasons. We also enjoy being the person clients look forward to seeing and visiting with when many are in situations that may prevent them from having any other contacts outside the home.
Is there a particular encounter or memory during your time with ACCA that stands out?
After taking a nursing student on a ride along route, she was so inspired by her interactions that she chose gerontology as her area of focus. That was very rewarding to see the experience shape someone’s life towards assisting the aging demographic.
Wayne and Mimi Dill pose for a portrait at the Athens Council on Aging. Both are volunteers with Meals on Wheels and deliver meals each Wednesday. “We just love it,” Mimi said “it gives us a great purpose.”
Our motto at ACCA is Live Well, Age Well. What’s your secret to ‘living well, aging well’? Has volunteering played a part in that?
Our secret is each other. We are both supportive and enjoy staying active in the community. Our relationship keeps us happy and drives us to help others.
Being in a college town, there is a big push for young students to volunteer in the community as they are growing. Why is it important for seasoned adults to volunteer as well.
We feel that there are learning opportunities from both ends. We have learned a lot from younger volunteers, but also feel that we have pearls of wisdom that we can offer the younger generation as well.
Your service has made a positive impact on the lives of others. How has volunteering enriched your life?
We have made many friends along the way. It is nice to see such a variety of people with such interesting stories and backgrounds. We learn something new every route.
What would you tell young people who may be intimidated by the notion of volunteering with older adults?
We would encourage them to give it a try and see how they like it. It takes patience to build relationships, but they would most likely find that it is well worth the time.
