Date: Fri 17-May-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDREA

Quick Words:

Meals-on-Wheels-volunteers

Full Text:

with cut: Meals On Wheels Volunteers Honored

B Y A NDREA Z IMMERMANN

Last year 4,697 meals were served to 40 Newtown residents, many senior

citizens, through the Meals On Wheels Program. Ashlar of Newtown, which is the

food service provider for the program, honored the more than 100 volunteer

drivers at a brunch on May 15.

"We have a common goal, a common purpose," said President of Ashlar Tom

Gutner. "We're pleased to work with you to serve the seniors in Newtown."

Ashlar began to prepare meals for the program last November when Fairfield

Hills Hospital (FHH) closed. The cost for each meal prepared at Ashlar (not

including packaging) is $2 and will remain so for the next two years. The

total unit cost per meal last year was $3.05 but recipients were billed only

$2.30 per meal, according to MOW Treasurer Shirley Lawrenson.

"Meals on Wheels is an organization of 100 percent volunteers. No one is

paid," said Mrs Lawrenson in her speech at the brunch. The group receives no

state or federal funding, but donations from civic organizations, local

businesses, and individuals enables the group to meet its operating expenses,

she said.

Under the supervision of Ashlar's Food Director Elyse Dent, meals are created

to accommodate up to 17 different diets. And for the first time in the history

of the 22-year-old program, recipients now have menu choices offered to them.

Volunteers are currently delivering meals to 18 housebound Newtown residents.

After the brunch, a raffle was held and MOW president Rebecca Smith presented

certificates to drivers who had reached milestone anniversaries. Five year

certificates were given to Betty Bussman, Richard Bussman, Jack Geason, Sue

Medve, Shirley Spencer, Jo Molnar, Ellyn Gehrett, Betty Mulvaney, and Jane

Pearlman. Those who were recognized for driving ten years were Carol Lehmann,

Jim Kearns, Pat Stroud, Ken Stroud, Ingrid Meier, Ken Wilkinson, and Ruth

Smith. Peg Forbell and Pat Hayes received 20-year certificates.

"Bravo Awards" were given to Vice President Ken Wilkinson, Treasurer Shirley

Lawrenson, and Ashlar of Newtown for their extraordinary work in the program.

Awards were also given to Nancy Larin in recognition of her years of service

as president, having served from 1990 to 1995, and to Dolores Judge who was

recording secretary for the group from 1989 to 1995.

Contributions to Newtown Meals On Wheels Inc may be sent to P.O. Box 122,

Newtown 06470. To find out about becoming a volunteer driver, contact driver

coordinator Colleen Honan at 426-0714.