Delivering a smile to isolated seniors
Volunteering can be fulfilling and fun, especially when it’s within your community. Pat, an almost twenty-year volunteer at the Carefor Glengarry Outreach Support Centre in Lancaster is one of many volunteers who finds joy in connecting with the community. Encouraging others in the Lancaster community to volunteer, Pat sees volunteering as an opportunity to get out of the house and make a difference.
As a Meal Delivery driver, Pat looks forward to connecting with her clients when she goes to make her deliveries. When she started volunteering, she was looking for something to fill her time. “I love going to see the people. I stay for the fun in it and look forward to doing it.”
With the Meal Delivery service being essential to the community, Pat continues to make her deliveries to her clients amid the COVID-19 crisis. Although some changes have been made to protect her and her clients, it doesn’t stop her from sharing a smile and a quick chat. “When I make their delivery, I knock on the door or window and have a quick chat while keeping my distance.” Pat finds peace in making sure her clients get their meal and knowing they’re safe. “You’re still meeting the same people and get to check up on them that they’re doing ok.”
Pat, like many of our volunteers has been called upon to continue to help with meal deliveries. To our dedicated volunteers helping us get through these challenging times, we would like to say thank you. We couldn’t do it without you.
Carefor relies on over 900 volunteers across Eastern Ontario to help deliver essential services within your community. If you would like to become a passionate Carefor volunteer, click here for information.