[0:04] my name is Chris Feling Um have four [0:07] children married Uh they're all adults [0:09] right now We have one that's special [0:11] needs So I know what it takes for care [0:14] and you know and another one that needs [0:16] a little bit of help as well One of our [0:18] sons So one daughter special needs and [0:20] three sons I started with Meals on [0:22] Wheels about 7 years maybe almost 8 [0:25] years now going on um it uh came across [0:30] as one of the volunteer requests and I [0:32] thought this is something I can do So [0:34] I've been doing it for quite a while I [0:36] guess and I don't think I missed too [0:38] many unless I took a couple vacations in [0:40] between I do it every week on Mondays Uh [0:43] yeah it takes anywhere from an hour Um [0:46] at one point I think I had the longest [0:48] route but not it didn't bother me I mean [0:50] it's all around you know the eastern [0:52] side here in 622 school district and uh [0:56] elderly some are in apartments some are [0:58] in homes Uh so it's been uh very good [1:02] for those that can't get out and are [1:04] homebound I like that the Meals on [1:07] Wheels program also provides non-p [1:08] perishables in the winter like [1:10] toothbrush toothpaste canned goods Uh [1:14] they do that usually once a year as well [1:16] so that uh the folks that receive Meals [1:19] on Wheels can stock up on some of that [1:21] too in case there's a bad snowstorm and [1:24] some of the volunteers could not get to [1:26] their place I think the most rewarding [1:28] and favorite part of Meals on Wheels is [1:30] interacting with the recipients the the [1:33] folks that do receive a hot meal or [1:36] frozen meal Um when I told them that I [1:39] was done volunteering um a couple were [1:42] in tears and actually gave me a hug and [1:44] that meant a lot to me Um you know one I [1:47] I recall one of the women that I [1:50] delivered a hot meal to she wanted to [1:52] give me her Christmas list with some [1:55] money to go buy her Christmas gifts and [1:56] I said "I would love to do that but [1:59] unfortunately I've got more hot meals in [2:00] the cold car you know that I need to [2:02] deliver." But um so yeah I think they're [2:05] anxious to have someone to just chat [2:07] with a bit Um I've had some of them give [2:10] me lilacs flowers out of their yard I [2:13] mean it's very rewarding just to be able [2:16] to interact with the folks and see that [2:19] they're getting at least frozen meals [2:21] for the week or a hot meal that day When [2:24] I heard that I won I was kind of [2:25] surprised cuz I know there's a lot of [2:27] great volunteers out there and uh a lot [2:30] of great folks So I was appreciative [2:34] that Tim Douly you know nominated me but [2:36] I was also shocked that I'd be one of [2:38] them to win Um you know to me it's not [2:41] about getting special recognition It was [2:43] really about spending some time and it's [2:45] a small commitment out of your daytoday [2:48] life when you're not working and could [2:50] give the time back to the community and [2:52] to seniors So I think uh that was most [2:55] important in in the years that I did the [2:58] Meals on Wheels If if you're looking for [3:01] a place to volunteer I think look at [3:03] what you like to do what you're kind of [3:06] passionate about and I do like to [3:09] interact with people Um but I think if [3:12] you're looking to to do some [3:14] volunteering I'd highly recommend it cuz [3:16] it's more rewarding than you think and [3:18] it's not that big of an investment of [3:20] time That's where I would put my [3:21] guidance and and go for it [3:26] [Music]