October is Community Support Month in Ontario – a time to celebrate and acknowledge our staff and volunteers who provide support to vulnerable members of their communities every day.
Every Thursday since November 1987, Doug Bold has volunteered with the Canadian Red Cross, Meals on Wheels program in Peel Region. If you do the math, that’s 24 years of delivering meals to vulnerable members of his community who are unable to prepare a meal for themselves or go to the grocery store.
At 90 years-young (soon to be 91 years-young) he has no plans of stopping any time soon. He’s the oldest volunteer with the program at the Red Cross Peel Region branch.
“As long as I can walk and drive, I will do it,” he says.
October 3-7 is Meals on Wheels Week in Ontario. Doug is one of the many committed volunteers with the Meals on Wheels program across the province. Last year, Meals on Wheels volunteers helped to deliver 298,098 meals across Ontario. In Mississauga, 70 volunteers – including Doug - delivered 40,000 meals to 500 clients, allowing them to maintain their health and independence.
Volunteers play a vital role with the Meals on Wheels program by helping to pack and deliver meals, as well as providing clients with a friendly visit. Because of the support of volunteers, the Red Cross is able to keep the prices of its meals at an affordable rate.
If you are interested in volunteering with Meals on Wheels, or for more info on the program, contact your local Red Cross office.