The army of over 1.2 million volunteers are the backbone of our Meals On Wheels programs. They are dedicated to our cause and are focused on our mission of ending senior hunger in America by 2020. But who are our volunteers? Why are they such outstanding individuals? I want you to meet Cletus Gerber. He’s been a volunteer driver for Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties in Ohio for 17 years. He’s never missed a day, except for when he was recuperating from quadruple-bypass heart surgery in 1996. Cletus is the embodiment of the selfless service shown by the agency’s 400 volunteers. And, oh, yes – he’s 87 years old. But he’s not complaining, because he knows that the people on the delivery route he drives through Dalton, Ohio, every week depend on him – particularly his fellow seniors.
Gerber retired from farming in 1987. He had frequently noticed ads and other announcements about the need for volunteer drivers with Meals On Wheels, so he decided to give it a try. In 1996 he had open heart surgery. “So I took a break,” he admitted. But after a few months of recovery, he was happy to be back on the road, delivering warm meals and even warmer smiles to the familiar faces on his hometown route. From the time he leaves his driveway until he returns home in the afternoon, he travels 70 miles, round-trip. But he wouldn’t have it any other way.
“It’s rewarding to help people. You can comfort them, too,” he said. “It’s a blessing to me personally. I’m getting as much of a blessing out of it as the people I’m helping are.
Cletus is an inspiration to all of us. We hope you and your family members decide to serve others this holiday season and get involved with Meals On Wheels. For volunteer information visit www.mowaa.org today. Tis’ the season…