[ back ]
Volunteers put meals, much more on table
(by Joan Demirjian - April 18, 2012)
Volunteers put meals, much more on table
By JOAN DEMIRJIAN
The Geauga County Department on Aging's home-delivered meals program is marking a milestone this month. It began its services to homebound senior citizens 15 years ago.
Many volunteers have been with the program for that length of time, and they say the rewards are many.
Marsha and Rob Zimmerman, of Russell, started delivering meals 15 years ago. "I wanted to give something back, and I answered an ad asking for volunteers," Mrs. Zimmerman said.
The couple usually delivers the meals together. It is a rewarding experience, she said. "It's fun to see their smiles," Mrs. Zimmerman said of the seniors the visit. "They look forward to seeing us. For some it's the only contact they have," she said. "We enjoy delivering the meals, and that's why we keep doing it."
Bainbridge resident Samuel Desiderio and his wife, Julie, have delivered for many years as well through the Chagrin Valley Rotary. He does the scheduling for the Rotary volunteers who deliver on Mondays and Fridays.
"It's a great thing to do," Mr. Desiderio said of taking meals to homebound people. "We get a lot of enjoyment in meeting people and bringing them a hot meal."
Marianne Deatsch is coordinator of the department on aging's home-delivered meals program.
When the original senior services levy was approved in the county in 1995, it included covering a meals delivery program, she said. There were other services in the county, including home-care agencies, Chardon Rotary and the Chagrin Falls Meals on Wheels, but funding was difficult, she said.
Geauga County Department on Aging Director Sally Bell and the agencies got together to discuss the matter. They agreed that the department on aging should take over in 1997 to provide the service.
Meanwhile, Chagrin Falls Meals on Wheels, which operates from the Federated Church Family Life Center in Bainbridge, covers an area west of Munn Road and south of Kinsman Road (Route 87), serving Russell, South Russell Village and Bainbridge.
"We do the remaining areas in the county," Ms. Deatsch said. "Taxpayers have determined it is important to have," she said.
There are 200 people age 60 and older who are served through the program, and most receive a meal five days a week, she said.
There are 250 volunteers, many of them from the Chagrin Valley Rotary, the Burton Middlefield Rotary, the Christ Child Society and church groups. Middlefield police also have been delivering for over 15 years, as has the West Geauga Kiwanis Club.
After picking up meals, it takes an hour or so to deliver, Ms. Deatsch said. The age of drivers is no barrier, she said. "There is one driver in his 90s."
Volunteers work with frail elderly residents and must be prepared for emergencies they may encounter, according to Ms. Deatsch.
"Many of the clients we see want to stay in their homes, and this program provides them with a boost to do that," she said.
Volunteers form relationships with those who receive the meals, she said.
Ms. Deatsch conducts the training with volunteers, who have routes on specific days.
Meals are cooked at four senior centers, including Chester, Chardon Middlefield and Thompson. Stuffed peppers and vegetables, pasta with meat and vegetables, chicken, turkey and gravy and lasagna are examples of the meals, she said. "It's not just a sandwich. It's a substantial lunch."
To celebrate the 15th year, everyone received cupcakes with their meals, according to Ms. Deatsch.
Right now, there is a need for drivers in the Chester area, she said. For more information, she can be contacted at 440-729-2130.
[ back ]
