91原创鈥檚 Peggy Schafer is the perfect example of a dedicated volunteer.
She鈥檚 spent the last 40 years of her life delivering food to 91原创 Meals on Wheels recipients, and the now 95-year-old delivered her final meal at the end of December.
Schafer called her retirement from Meals on Wheels 鈥渂ittersweet.鈥�
鈥淚鈥檓 glad because I know it鈥檚 the right thing to do. I鈥檝e felt that for a few months now. But I鈥檝e really enjoyed it so I know I鈥檒l miss it.鈥�
The decision to retire came because Schafer is 鈥渞unning out of energy.鈥�
鈥淚 want to feel that I鈥檓 safe doing it with the driving part. I鈥檓 still driving so I think maybe I鈥檒l quit while I鈥檓 ahead. I want to be safe in every area.鈥�
Forty years ago, Meals on Wheels was just starting up and looking for drivers in 91原创, explained Schafer. So she responded to the call and committed to delivering meals once a week.
鈥淚 love doing it. I enjoy meeting people and doing something that鈥檚 helpful to them. I鈥檝e met some very lovely people over the years,鈥� added Schafer.
鈥淢ost of them thank me pretty well every time. And the meals in recent days have been very, very good meals.鈥�
Schafer said 鈥渇or sure,鈥� she鈥檇 use Meals on Wheels services if needed in the future.
91原创 Meals on Wheels executive director Shannon Woykin, said Schafer has been the longest Meals on Wheels volunteer in 91原创.
鈥淪he was with Meals on Wheels from the start. She is kind, and always has a gentle manner to her.鈥�
And Meals on Wheels volunteers provide more than just a nutritious meal, explained Woykin.
鈥淥ur volunteers are the eyes and ears of the community. When they go once a week to a clients home they can detect different issues and that helps us then connect them to the right resources. We are that safety check, but we are also that social connection.鈥�
Schafer can confirm that volunteers are often first responders, as she鈥檚 had various encounters when she鈥檚 had to call an ambulance鈥搊nce for a client who was non-responsive, and another who had had a stroke.
鈥淵ou鈥檙e glad you鈥檙e there at the right times,鈥� said Schafer.
On her last delivery in December, Schafer delivered a meal to Inga McKinnon, who has been receiving Meals on Wheels for two years.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 have to cook and that鈥檚 wonderful. I鈥檓 sorry she鈥檚 [Schafer] leaving, but she has to. She鈥檚 done her duty,鈥� said McKinnon.
Into her retirement, Schafer plans to continue volunteering at Christian Life Assembly church and finding other volunteer activities that are 鈥渓ess time consuming,鈥� although she recommends Meals on Wheels for others looking to volunteer.
鈥淚f you like people and you like driving, it鈥檚 a perfect fit.鈥�
Woykin added that volunteering with Meals on Wheels is 鈥渁 great environment鈥� and is a good way to 鈥渕ake a difference in the community.鈥�
Those looking to volunteer are asked to call Meals on Wheels at 604-533-1679 or go to the office at 20414 Douglas Cres. to pick up a volunteer application.
