03/31/2016

March for Meals Champions who Celebrate our Volunteers

IMG_0880We’ve talked a lot during March for Meals about our Meals on Wheels clients and our community champions. But the life source of Meals on Wheels is our amazing volunteers. We have a team of about 195 volunteers in Clarke and Barrow County who selflessly take time out of their day to deliver not only a meal but so much more.

On the last day of March for Meals, we’d like to highlight three community champions that join together every December and give ACCA a generous donation to make sure our volunteers know how much they are appreciated. Without them, we would not be able to do this ourselves.

Seven years ago the Reifsteck family also got involved with the ACCA Meals on Wheels program. “My grandmother delivered Meals on Wheels for more than 30 years in Fredericksburg, Texas. I’d sometimes go with her on her route, and it’s true that the volunteers benefit from the experience as well as the clients,” said Joyce Reifsteck. Wanting to do something to honor her grandmother and show appreciation to the local volunteers, Joyce and her family started making holiday goody bags for the volunteers.

Although nothing is expected, the volunteers love this special gesture of appreciation for their volunteer service.

Mike Price, President of McLane Southeast, makes sure that the goody bags include hot cocoa and candy every year. “Seven years ago we were approached with the opportunity to participate in this project, and we’re glad to be able to continue the tradition. McLane is proud to be associated with the Meals on Wheels Volunteers and everything they do for the community,” said Price.

When Ann Richardson heard about the effort recently, she knew immediately that she wanted to get involved. She approached her husband Matt about supplying boxes of chocolate truffles for the volunteer gifts. Matt Richardson is the owner of Manor Holdings, a construction and development firm in Athens. “This area has been so good to us,” said Matt, “and we are so happy to get involved in something that helps our community, especially a program like Meals on Wheels that serves so many people.”

Meals on Wheels serves about 200 people on 24 routes in Clarke and Barrow County. We are able to serve these people because of our wonderful volunteers.  Our volunteers offer a warm smile and a few minutes of social interaction to someone who may otherwise not see anyone all day.

If you are interested in volunteering with Meals on Wheels, please contact Susan Jacobs at 706-549-4850.

If you would like to help sponsor the Meals on Wheels Volunteer Gifts, contact Joyce Reifsteck at 706-310-0206.

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