News Room
Special Delivery of Roses for Seniors Receiving Meals on Wheels: A Nice Touch on Valentine's Day
Friday February 1, 2008
Scarborough, Maine—Many seniors will receive more than a hot lunch on Valentine’s Day. Volunteers from the Southern Maine Agency on Aging will deliver a fresh rose to 800 Meals on Wheels participants along with their noon meal. The roses are made possible by an endowment fund set up by the late Lorraine Merrill, as part of her almost $1 million bequest to the Southern Maine Agency on Aging. Merrill started giving roses anonymously in 1995, and her bequest ensures that the tradition of delivering roses with Meals on Wheels on Valentine’s Day will live on for many years.
After the age of 60, the only requirement for Meals on Wheels is the inability to shop or easily prepare balanced meals. A donation of $3 is requested for each meal. Donations from participants average $1.20, far short of the cost of $6.40. Volunteers to deliver the meals and donations are always needed.
On Thursday each participant will also receive a large color photo refrigerator magnet to hold their monthly menu. Martin’s Point Health Care donated the magnets to raise visibility for the positive health effects of good nutrition through Meals on Wheels. The Agency on Aging emphasizes that Meals on Wheels can be delivered indefinitely or on a short-term basis, such as after illness, injury or hospitalization. Research has shown a lower incidence of hospital readmission if seniors get Meals on Wheels post-hospitalization.
WHERE: Meals on Wheels Delivery Sites
WHEN: Valentine's Day, Thursday, February 14, 2008
Volunteers begin delivering meals at 10:30 AM throughout Cumberland and York counties.
MEALS ON WHEELS SITES
Call Eileen Whynot at 396-6512 office or 749-0211 cell or show up at 10:00 to go out with a volunteer driver.
BIDDEFORD
J. Ross Martin Community Center
189 Alfred St.
BUXTON
Groveville Fire Barn
38 Turkey Lane
KENNEBUNK
Ross Corner Woods
124 Ross Road
KEZAR FALLS
Riverside Methodist Church
PORTLAND
Salvation Army
297 Cumberland Ave.
WESTBROOK
Pride’s Corner
Congregational Church
235 Pride Street
SANFORD
National Guard Armory
88 William Oscar Emery Dr.
SOUTH PORTLAND
Peoples Methodist Church
310 Broadway
WINDHAM
Unity Gardens
Rt 115, 124 Tandberg Trail
YARMOUTH
Masonic Lodge
Mill St.
