Wednesday, April 24, 2024
vol-un-teer - a person who freely offers to take part in an enterprise or undertake a task
It is hard for staff members at the Hood County Senior Center to comprehend that there are volunteers who have been here DECADES longer than us. Wow. Back then we only had six routes compared to our current 18 routes.
Bob McMillan tells the story of his volunteering history as a Meals on Wheels driver and apologizes for being “not such an interesting character.” Let’s be clear. This man is far from “not interesting.”
Bob retired after a 37-year career as a software development manager (among other titles) with Western Electric, AT&T and Bell Labs (combined) in New Jersey. When he arrived in Granbury he met a man named Jerry Fairman who told Bob that he should deliver Meals on Wheels. At the time, Jerry happened to be a volunteer who was also serving on the Board of Directors. Within a couple of weeks, Bob started volunteering and took ownership of the Tolar route on Mondays.
Little did we know that his decision to take part would turn into at least 25 years of service! His 25th anniversary is coming this June. Go Bob!
Incredibly, when Bob joined we were still known as the Shanley House. The Tolar route became his weekly routine. When he began delivering, we had our own vans that were driven by volunteers. A few years into his service, the vans became a thing of the past and drivers switched to using their personal vehicles for deliveries.
At one time, Bob’s route had 27 clients. After 13 years Bob started sharing this route with a friend named Larry Dick. The two take turns riding together and driving their own vehicles every other week. Today, his route has nine or ten clients. Currently, even with 10 or fewer clients, it takes more than one and a half hours, while driving 40-ish miles to complete the route.
When asked what keeps him coming back, Bob said, “Through the years the need hasn’t changed, and it gives a sense of satisfaction to help someone.”
Listening to Bob reminisce about clients was so much fun. He mentioned that one client was a character. “He always liked for us to come and joke with him. He was a big jokester.”
He mentioned a sweet woman in her late 90s who used to say, “Here comes the doughnut man!” when she saw Bob coming to her door. Before COVID, we received donations of day-old breads from Kroger. Some volunteers would take the time to bag up these treats to give to clients. Bob and Larry took the time because some seniors enjoy the extra treats.
“We knew who liked them and we made sure we got something for them. They were always real appreciative,” he said.
Bob had nicknames for some of his clients. Listening to him talk about these seniors who have become his friends put a smile on my face.
A few years ago, Bob and Larry came upon a client who did not answer her door. They were sure something was wrong because they knew her situation. They went to the door again and heard a little sound. Going inside, they found that she had fallen in a tight spot and was not able to get up. Bob and Larry were unable to move her in fear of hurting her, so they called 9-1-1.
She had been in that position for some time and was extremely dehydrated. Thanks to these men, she spent a few nights in the hospital as was able to go back home. She was blessed to have Bob and Larry looking out for her that day! The Senior Center is thankful for volunteers like Bob.
Another client was hard of hearing. The instructions said to knock and go on inside, so Bob, “… knocked and walked right in. She stepped out of the shower right in front of me.” Being a gentleman, when he realized that she did not see him, he quickly put the meal down and left. He did not want to embarrass her and was glad she never mentioned it.
There have been some Meals on Wheels changes during the pandemic and Bob sees that the changes seem necessary and says they have been handled pretty well. He mentioned, “Maybe the system of getting everything into the vehicles is even a little more organized and it is going really well.”
Crystal Smith is an administrative assistant and activity coordinator at the Hood County Senior Center.
