By PAT NEWMAN
pnewman@thecititzennews.com

The Meals on Wheels volunteer crew is a diverse lot.

Monday through Friday, young mothers with a toddler or two in tow, retired couples, secretaries on lunch break and church women drive up to the white frame house that serves as the headquarters for Fayette Senior Services, and pick up their lunch coolers loaded for delivery. Within two hours they return with empty coolers and a sense of satisfaction that comes from a job well-done.

Senior Services' volunteers annually log about 10,000 hours a year, according to Fran Plunkett, volunteer coordinator for Fayette Senior Services. Between 85 and 95 meals are prepared and delivered five days a week to home-bound seniors living on one of 13 routes that crisscross from Brooks and Fayetteville to Tyrone and Peachtree City, Plunkett noted.

Meals on Wheels recipients receive more than a hot meal Monday through Friday, they get a smile, and a sincere “How are you today?” from their volunteers. For case worker Ann Hudson, volunteers can provide valuable feedback on clients. “The volunteers have been our eyes and ears,” Plunkett said.

If a client fails to answer the door for a meal delivery, volunteers report their findings back to Senior Services where Hudson can follow up with a phone call. Alerting authorities to a client's possible illness or fall can and has saved lives, according to Plunkett. “We're doing more than delivering a meal.”

Responses from volunteers are almost always positive. Returning from their routes, you hear things like, “We love what we do.” “I get a lot of satisfaction out of this.” “You have your favorites on the route...” “It's fun.” “I get a lot of pleasure out of it,” added Wallace Taylor who drives route 13 along with his wife, Erma.

Recently, the volunteers who sustain Fayette Senior Services were recognized for their hours of dedicated service at a breakfast hosted by Fayette Community Hospital. The men and women who deliver meals and spend time at the center with Fayette County's seniors were awarded tokens of appreciation by Andy Carden, director of senior services in the form of umbrellas, tote bags and a sports jacket.

Ranked among the top volunteers in numbers of hours served included Dick Clontz, John Crowe, also recognized as a United Way volunteer of the month, Sandy Gary and Connie Davis. Also recognized were Tina Burns, Tim Cox, Martha Crowe, Debbie Eubanks, Don and Mary Ann Harding, Debby Miller, Paul Marin, Diann Newsome, Martha Powell, Sue Seaman, David Smith, Virginia Smith, Sharon Stanley, Jerry Wall and Marie Washburn. The substitute drivers were also praised by Senior Services officials. “The subs are our lifeline,” noted Plunkett.

Fayette Senior Services is supported by the Atlanta Regional Commission, United Way, and local municipalities. For information about programs or volunteer opportunities, phone 770-461-0813.