For those of you who have read my blogs entries since I stared at MOWAA just about a year ago, you know that my favorite days are the ones where I either deliver meals with or visit with one of our Member programs around the country. As the Director of Development, when I travel, it usually involves a fundraising event or meeting with a corporate or potential corporate partner. On these trips we always take time to visit with the Meals On Wheels program(s) in the area we are visiting. Without fail, visiting those programs always inspires me, recharges my batteries and reminds me of why I do what I do.
Nothing makes me better at fund raising than a reminder of what I am raising the funds for.
Yesterday, we visited with two wonderful Meals On Wheels programs in the Orlando, FL area. First we stopped at Osceola Council on Aging to take a tour of the facility and so Enid and Larry Magee (the CEO of Bridgestone Retail Operations) could deliver meals together. The folks at the program were so hospitable, their facility is amazing and kitchen was just spectacular. Not to mention they made us scones fresh that morning that were the best I’ve ever had (thanks Cathy)!
My favorite part about visiting Osceola Council on Aging was the seeing the joy on the seniors’ faces who were there for congregate meals.
They were happy and engaged and many were dancing to the music that was being played for them. This party was better than my New Year’s party I think. The mutual love and respect between the staff and the neighborhood seniors is really special.
I also want to acknowledge the impact that the seniors at the center and the seniors who received meals seemed to have on Mr. Magee. I think he was touched and understands why Bridgestone’s support is so important.
We wrapped up our day visiting another outstanding program, Seniors First, Inc. in Orlando. Hearing from them how much they appreciate the support and opportunities MOWAA provides them made my day. It was also hugely helpful to hear what more we can do. The work they do with their emergency meal program is outstanding and provides a model that Meals On Wheels programs around the country could follow. To learn about the challenges they face and the ingenuity they use to overcome those challenges…wow. It’s just awesome the work our programs do in communities with such limited resources. I wanted to get on the phone to find new partners before we even got back to the hotel.
I hope the rest of our visit to Orlando is fruitful and we come home with wonderful news and ideas from our partnership with Bridgestone, but nothing will compare to my day on Thursday. It thrilled me to meet such fabulous people who are doing truly astounding work. I know we can end senior hunger in America by 2020. With the brains and hearts I’ve encountered, there is no doubt in my mind. We just need stay together, as one great movement, and find some new friends to join us along the way.
Matthew Levine
Development Director
MOWAA
