Meals On Wheels Volunteers Featured In United Way Publication Highlighting Volunteerism

Jerry and Mary Felland (left), volunteers for Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties, are featured in a newspaper insert in today's Canton Repository that promotes volunteerism in our community and highlights National Volunteer Week, which will take place April 15-21.

The 12-page tabloid publication, produced by United Way of Greater Stark County, highlights the benefits of volunteering, and promotes volunteerism by companies and organizations. Jerry and Mary, who serve out of our Brewster site, are featured in a "Volunteer Recognition Testimonial" profile.

"I volunteer because it's a way to help and give back to the community and it's something useful to do," the article quotes Jerry as saying. "I truly enjoy meeting and getting to know the people we serve. Meals On Wheels always needs more volunteers. I wish that more people would take an interest in volunteering for their community."

Mary also discusses the benefits of their service: "I absolutely love seeing the people and hearing the stories they have to tell. You really build a relationship with the people you serve here. Meals on Wheels is an excellent organization! It means so much more than just providing food to people in need. It is a means of checking up on the elderly and the disabled. For some of the clients, we are the only person they see throughout the day."

To read the full article, click on the photo to the right.

The publication was produced in conjunction with Volunteer Leaders in Action (VLIA), a professional organization that provides a platform of education, support and networking for volunteer leaders in the non-profit sector. Linda Spielman, volunteer coordinator for Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties, is vice president of VLIA.

"Jerry and Mary are wonderful people, and are willing to help in any way they can," said Linda. "They truly exemplify the spirit of service that volunteering is all about."

Without our volunteers, we would not be able to serve the hundreds and hundreds of clients we do every day. If you or your company would like to join hands with us to help our homebound neighbors, just give Linda a call at 330-832-7220, or visit the Volunteer section of our website.

United Way Day of Caring Volunteers Make a Difference for Meals On Wheels

Volunteers from area companies came out in full force to support Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties on Sept. 1, as part of the annual Day of Caring, sponsored locally by the United Way of Greater Stark County.

A total of 119 people from 12 employers descended on our administrative office and 14 of our sites to help prepare and deliver meals and complete other projects.

One group of employees from the Timken Company painted the lobby and hallways of our administrative office building (lower right). We're grateful to Harrison Paint for donating the paint, and The Wooster Brush Company for donating the rollers, extensions and brushes needed to complete the job.

Other organizations that assisted at Meals on Wheels were: The Health Plan; Union Metal; Suarez Corporation; Massillon Independent; Smith Barta; Atkinson Feucht Hare Funeral Home; Krugliak Wilkins Law Office; PolyOne; Leonard Insurance; United Parcel Service; and Brown Mackie College.

According to an article in today's Independent, almost 1,200 volunteers from 53 area workplaces helped during the Day of Caring. The event is part of the kickoff of the United Way's annual fund drive.

Our thanks to the United Way and the participating employers for their help!

MOW Featured at Kent Stark Student Leadership Seminar

Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties was featured at a Student Leadership Academy seminar sponsored by Kent State Stark in North Canton, Ohio, on Feb. 9.

About 50 students from Kent Stark and from Stark State College attended the session, which featured speakers from three area agencies who talked about volunteer opportunities with their organizations. All students participating in the Academy are required to perform volunteer work during the spring semester.

Tom Delamater, public relations administrator for Meals On Wheels (at right in photo), commented to the group briefly about servant leadership. Tom was adviser to student leadership clubs at a university in Texas for several years, and complimented the Kent Stark students on their involvement with the Academy program. He then presented information about the agency and our volunteer opportunities.

Also pictured in the photo (from left) are Cherie Barth, Stark State student activities coordinator; Kristi Yerian, Kent Stark student activities coordinator, and Eric Smer of the Stark County Hunger Task Force. The Task Force and the United Way also presented information about volunteer opportunities with their organizations.