Paying It Forward

When my dad was in the hospital, there was a day where it seemed his condition had dramatically improved. He felt the best he had since entering the hospital and he even looked better than before he was struck with pancreatitis. He was also very inspired by a visit from the hospital’s chaplain who had stopped by to chat with him earlier that morning. Dad’s energy was up, his outlook positive, and he was making plans for his life after recovery.

I’ll never know what he and the chaplain discussed but I know it had a profound effect on my dad. In addition to his bubbly attitude and returned lust for life that day, he very excitedly exclaimed to me that when he got out of the hospital he wanted to help people. He wasn’t sure how exactly, but he knew he wanted to pay all the support and encouragement he had received forward to others in need.

At that moment I was overjoyed with my dad’s renewed generous spirit and joined him in his hope for the future. And though his improved state proved to be only temporary and he wasn’t able to see his goal through himself in the physical world, I believe that with your help, he has the opportunity to help from the great beyond. It’s my hope that if you have the means, you will consider donating your time or energy to helping others in his honor.

Warmly,

Stacey Wilhelm

Meals on Wheels

https://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/

Rocky was affected by Parkinson’s Disease and other health complications during his life. Over time his mobility became increasingly compromised and he experienced difficulty standing for extended periods of time. This made grocery shopping and preparing his own meals an overwhelming task. And during the COVID pandemic, when access to other services became even more limited, he benefited greatly from the consistent and dedicated assistance of Meals on Wheels. He was forever grateful for their generosity and the kindness of the volunteers.

Ways to Help:

Donate to Meals on Wheels so they can continue their incredible work of providing nutritious meals, friendly connection, safety checks, and so much more to seniors across the country. In many communities, Meals on Wheels also provides assistance with pet food and veterinary bills so that seniors can continue to enjoy the benefits of pet ownership regardless of their physical and financial abilities.

Volunteer for Meals on Wheels to deliver meals, pet food, provide transportation services, and meaningful companionship to seniors in your neighborhood. Meals on Wheels has over 5,000 independently-run local programs across the country so there’s likely one close to you. If you have the time and the resources, making deliveries even once a month is a powerful way to give back to seniors in your community.

Need Help?

Go here to find the program nearest you and to learn about their services. Program availability and offerings can vary by location but getting more information is just a phone call or email away.