​Students like Harvey are perfect examples of how you can contribute to the community while gaining experience along the way. Harvey is going into his final year at University of British Columbia for computer science; wanting to make an impact in this world, he searched for a volunteer position that interested him. 
Joining Meals on Wheels helped Harvey understand the constant need for volunteers to support the program helping seniors in his community. Harvey enjoys seeing the clients smile because they appreciate the meal delivery. Recognizing that he is making a positive impact on the lives of others, he finds time to fit into his busy school schedule. Harvey wants to make a difference; he wants to be a role model, leading by example, and that is why he continues to volunteer with Meals on Wheels. 

​Harvey believes that this volunteer position may interest students looking to go into the health care sector due to the similarities in clients in both environments. However, this position offers many transferable skills and experiences that anyone can add to their resume. This volunteer opportunity is great for students in any faculty looking to better the community and themselves. 

​If you want to know how to lead a fulfilling and meaningful life in retirement, you might find your answer in Polly, a Meals on Wheels Volunteer. Polly emigrated to Canada from Hong Kong in 1975; when she retired, she replaced her full time work with volunteering. Polly joined a S.U.C.C.E.S.S. women’s club in the Marpole area as a volunteer. She now leads a group of 16 volunteers who devote their time to the Meals on Wheels program, coordinating all of their delivery schedules. These volunteers are part of our larger network of volunteers who deliver over 400 meals a day to clients, who are often isolated seniors, across Vancouver and Richmond.

Polly, pictured at left, with the Honourable Judith Guichon, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia in 2015.
 
Polly knows that her volunteer role is important, not only because of the hot nutritious meals delivered, but because of the informal safety check each delivery provides. One day she was delivering to an elderly client; he did not answer the door after she rang many times. Polly immediately contacted Shirley, the Chinese Meals on Wheels coordinator at Care BC, as well as the building manager. Shirley contacted the emergency contact on file for the client; the building manager was able to open the door. They found the client had fallen, but was unable to call for assistance himself. They called the police and an ambulance, and the client was taken to hospital. It was a reminder that on rare occasions, a Meals on Wheels delivery can provide much more than a hot nutritious meal and a friendly visit.
 
Polly sees the value of volunteering for Meals on Wheels first-hand; that’s why she’s continued to volunteer for 11 years. She looks forward to connecting with isolated seniors in the community – people who may not have many other visitors. Polly knows that her volunteer work enriches lives with both nutritious meals and friendly visits, and can even save a life in emergency situations.

Babe Bailey is a lively and cheerful woman; when you talk to her, you instantly feel welcomed by her. She and her friends, who volunteer as a group from the Vancouver Shaughnessy Lions Club, have been volunteering for the Meals on Wheels program for more than fifteen years. She regularly works five days a week but still sets time aside during her busy week to help with Meals on Wheels.

Babe (pictured on the left, with a Meals on Wheels client and another Vancouver Shaughnessy Lions Club volunteer) finds her Meals on Wheels volunteer experience is quite different from other volunteer opportunities. She appreciates the direct contact and communication with the meal recipient each time she delivers meals and is very content when she sees the smiling faces of the elderly. Babe’s strongest motivation for volunteering with Meals on Wheels is the meaningful contact and connection she is able to establish with the seniors she visits. Over the past few years, Babe and her friends from the Lions Club have established a deep affection with the elderly they serve.

There is one very special moment that Babe will always remember. She often delivered to a very quiet lady who wasn’t overly friendly; Babe was always struck by her stoic nature. Her face rarely betrayed any emotion. But one day, when Babe was delivering a meal to her, she not only congratulated Babe on her birthday but also secretly made a birthday cake for her. Babe was overjoyed by this and realized that though this client might have difficulty expressing her love for others, all the emotions were hidden in her heart.

Babe also distinctly remembers the sadness when she hears of a long-time recipient’s death. She always feels sad when she hears of this, because she cares for each of her Meals on Wheels recipients so much. When asked if she would continue to volunteer with Meals on Wheels after the fifteen years of service, she confidently replied she would. “I hope I will be able to serve more elderly. It’s an extraordinary life experience that will bring my life abundance. I will always stick to it!”

Dennis and his son Michael have been delivering Chinese Meals on Wheels together for more than 5 years. Equally as important as the meal and friendly visit for a Meals on Wheels client, is the time that Dennis and Michael get to spend together. Twice a week, Dennis and Michael deliver Chinese Meals on Wheels, spending quality time together and fostering a strong father-son bond.

Before immigrating to Canada, Dennis was a police officer in Hong Kong.  After settling in Vancouver, Dennis decided to take early retirement to be able to take care of his son Michael who has autism. Dennis helped his son apply for volunteer work to help gain some work experience, and in 2008 Michael started his volunteer work with Care BC’s Chinese Meals on Wheels program.

At first, Michael struggled with communication issues and he felt troubled and discouraged. So in 2010, Dennis decided to join the Meals on Wheels team with Michael. Dennis loves volunteering as he knows he is truly making a difference by helping to care for elderly people living alone and providing them with short visits filled with warmth and understanding. For Michael, it is important to experience caring and to build relationships with others. Both Dennis and Michael believe that caring for others and providing service to the community is one of the true important things you can do in life!

Dennis believes he and his son will continue this volunteer work until they physically can’t participate anymore. Volunteers like Dennis and Michael are the heart and soul of the work Care BC does. We can’t thank them enough for bringing warmth and comfort to people in our community.