Meals On Wheels Volunteers Honored At Breakfast

By Nancy K. Crevier

Volunteers for the Newtown Meals On Wheels (MOW) program were honored at a breakfast Wednesday morning, May 13, in the undercroft of Trinity Episcopal Church. Catered by Masonicare of Newtown, the supplier of the MOW meals, the breakfast spread was a nourishing and much-enjoyed array of fresh fruits, muffins, bagels, coffee, juices, and other breakfast foods for the dozens of local volunteers who donate their time to delivering meals to the housebound throughout Newtown and Sandy Hook.

Newtown MOW Co-Presidents Pat Barrett and Marg Studley spoke briefly, thanking the many people in town who regularly commit to assisting the program.

Certificates were awarded to Sharon Mendelsohn, Mary Obre, Debbie Miller, Karen and Bob Nash, Carol Mattegat, Joe Murphy, Camille Kallbacher, and John and Yvonne Kopins for five years of service to MOW.

Ten-year acknowledgements were given to Eileen Huber, Curtiss Clark, Tracy Fiore, Karen Udisky, Martha Galie, Eileen Vitarbo, Lynn Buttner, Dorothy Dwyer, and Alice Walsh. Colleen Honan, Janet Hovious, Mandy Monaco, and Tom Judge were recognized for 15 years of service.

Also honored, for 20 years of service, were Becky Smith and Dorothy Miles, and for 30 years of service, Dolores Judge.

Nancy Larin and Coke Cramer, original members of Newtown Meals On Wheels, received recognition for 35 years of service to the organization.

The Bravo Award for excellence in going above and beyond the call of duty was awarded this year to Masonicare of Newtown kitchen staff member Jodi Godfrey. Ms Godfrey has worked in the Masonicare (formerly Ashlar) kitchen for 17 years, and is responsible for coordinating and packaging the special meals that go out to MOW recipients.

To volunteer as a driver for Newtown Meals On Wheels, contact Colleen Honan at 426-0714.