Ennis Volunteer Donna Harrington

Donna always knew that when she retired she wanted to volunteer. Retiring from Hagar after 37 years, Meals-on-Wheels was the right "fit" for her. She began volunteering last September, and now delivers several times a week.

"I have enjoyed my time delivering meals so much," she said. "At first, the clients were quiet, but now that I am a regular, they have really opened up, and look forward to our visits."

Although, volunteers are asked to make a weekly commitment, Donna is willing to deliver or "fill-in" on additional days. "The extra days are nothing (to me) because its more than giving of yourself," she states. "In fact, it’s the other way around. Each client brings something unique and special to me each time I see them," she adds with a smile. 

Donna, like many of our volunteers, personifies this year's theme for, "Celebrating People in Action." This can be seen when riding along with Donna on her route. The faces of the seniors light up as they answer the door. She goes the extra mile to make each person feel special. For instance, it was one of the client's birthday, and she brought daises and a card to celebrate. "She is one of the sweetest people I have ever known," said one client on her route.

In addition to her volunteer work, Donna enjoys spending time with her husband and 8 four- legged children. All which are rescue animals. She also spends time working in her yard year round, and owns a studio where she creates vases, bowls, and jewelry from glass. Donna is the proud aunt to 22 nieces and nephews, and 39 great nieces and nephews.

Meals-on-Wheels serves more than 700 people on a daily basis with the help of people from the local communities. "Volunteers are essential for our program to be successful," said Amy Jackson, director of development. "Without the ongoing dedication of volunteers, we would not be able to impact the lives of the elderly, disabled, and their families. 

"Thank you for the invaluable service you provide to our homebound clients!" she added.

Grandview Volunteers James and Nadine Roden

Going the extra mile takes on a whole new meaning when applied to Meals-on-Wheels volunteers James and Nadine Roden.

Awarded with the Shirle Ayers Volunteer Appreciation Award for 2010, the Rodens are part of Meals-on-Wheels’ essential volunteer team providing a noontime meal to the elderly and disabled of Johnson County.

They've certainly made an impact on the Grandview community throughout their lives. Both were brought into the world by the same doctor in the small Johnson County town, and the couple will celebrate six decades of marriage on June 2. All in the town of their birth, where they discovered a passion for reaching out to others through the Senior Citizens Center in Grandview in 1982.
The Rodens explained that in those days, meals were prepared in Grandview and their community's elderly residents would either come to the center for lunch or the meal would be delivered to them. James Roden served to coordinate volunteers for Grandview meal delivery routes beginning in the early 1990s when he was president of the Grandview Senior Citizens’ Center. He and Nadine still schedule volunteers for the routes each day in Grandview as well as hand delivering one of the routes on a weekly basis.

Their home is also a visual tribute to their burgeoning family. With photos of four grown children – three sons and one daughter – 16 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren adorning the walls and shelves, it is needless to say that the Rodens stay busy!

In his youth, James says he was a sharecropper who started farming in and around Grandview in 1956 and farmed throughout Hill, Johnson and Ellis Counties until he retired in 2001. All three of the couple’s sons have worked for David’s Grocery, and Nadine worked there as well, retiring last year.

In addition to his role as a Meals-on-Wheels volunteer, James remains involved in the community he loves, managing the city cemetery. He is also an active member of the Church of Christ, where he has been a member since he was an infant.

Meals-on-Wheels is proud to have the Rodens as a crucial part of our volunteer team in Grandview. Thank you, James and Nadine, for all that you do and have done for your homebound neighbors in Grandview!