Island Senior: Local Celebrities Support Meals On Wheels

David Baley (MOW volunteer), Dennis Busse (MOW volunteer), Pat Ball (MOW volunteer), Greg Ford (Celebrity Volunteer), Nancy Geist & Gayle Rollins (MOW kitchen staff), Christine Minney (Celebrity Volunteer), Linda Chowdry (MOW volunteer), Norvin Collins (Celebrity Volunteer)

“Island Senior” is a regular column on the San Juan Update written by Peggy Sue McRae.

We cannot say it enough. More than ever during this time of Covid, San Juan County’s Senior Nutrition Program, “Meals on Wheels” serves as a lifeline to many of our island seniors.

Fire Chief Norvin Collins, Dorothy Stone, Meals on Wheels Volunteer Linda Chowdry

With usual fundraising events still out of the question, local celebrities stepped up to bring attention to our Meals on Wheels program. Our local celebs joined our regular volunteer Meals on Wheels drivers for an extra special meal delivery!

A big thank you to Fire and Rescue Chief Norvin Collins and his impressive vehicle. Imagine getting your lunch delivered by a fire truck!

Said Collins, “The energy from the Meals on Wheels team is contagious, and you see it most when the meals are delivered. The warm greetings and interactions are what makes our islands special. From staff to volunteers, the Meals on Wheels program is a gem in our community. We are fortunate to have so many caring and compassionate people working to support those in our community who need support. Great work, Meals on Wheels!”

Thanks also to former restaurateur and newly elected San Juan County Councilwoman Christine Minney as well as former restaurateur and man about town Gregg Ford. Gregg is the soon-to-be new daytime manager for the Madrona Bar and Grill at Roche Harbor. Norvin, Christine and Gregg teamed up with our regular Meals on Wheels volunteer drivers delivering meals to islanders.

County wide the nutrition program delivers approximately 2,400 nutritious meals to homebound seniors every month. When our senior centers closed last year Meals on Wheels stepped up to accommodate seniors who would now be missing Senior Community Meals and are staying home to stay safe during the pandemic.

Gary Enersen and Christine Minney

The San Juan County Senior Nutrition Program delivers meals on San Juan, Orcas, and Lopez islands and is administered by the non-profit Whatcom Council on Aging, San Juan County Senior Services, and the senior centers on each island.  The program is partially funded through federal grants and San Juan County levy funding leaving donations as a critical piece of the pie chart.

Now more than ever the program relies on donations. Meals are given for a suggested five dollars or whatever is affordable. No one is turned down for lack of funds. A donation of $100 ensures that 20 nutritious meals will be delivered to San Juan island seniors in need.

Tax-deductible donations may be made payable to “Meals on Wheels” and mailed to the Mullis Senior Center at PO Box 951, Friday Harbor, WA 98250.

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