Finn, Kyle, and Thomas have had a very different senior year of high school than they were expecting due to the COVID19 pandemic. Almost every senior activity and event has been cancelled and school has been a mixed bag of in person and remote learning. One silver lining in a difficult year for these young men is the opportunity to volunteer with Springwell as home delivered meals drivers. When a friend suggested the opportunity to fulfill community service for graduation, Kyle, Finn, and Thomas liked the whole idea of helping older adults in this way. They like getting out and about and meeting new people.

Initially, Finn was surprised that many of the meal recipients really hadn’t seen people very much in over a year. A short visit with these young drivers along with the delivery of a nutritious meal really makes their day. Finn shared that “one woman gave me a whistle so I can whistle while I am working. She was wanting me to be happy and I appreciate that gesture.”

At first some meal recipients seemed hesitant about these new young drivers bringing their meals but according to Kyle, “many are now waiting outside in the nice weather for my arrival. They seem eager to see me and chat. I expected them to be grumpy after a tough isolating year of the pandemic, but they are truly hopeful and happy. It is nice to see this happiness and to help spread it around with each visit to drop off a meal.”

Thomas adds that these older adults are energetic and very appreciative of the meals, and that he loves hearing about their lives and interests. “Several of the women I deliver meals to are big Red Sox fans and one told me that when she was young, she dated a Red Sox player. They keep careful track of wins and losses and we chat about the games. My grandparents have always shared stories about their lives with me and I enjoy hearing stories when I deliver meals. Some of the meal recipients don’t speak English but they still manage to say thank you and convey their appreciation.”

Finn, Kyle, and Thomas have never done any volunteer work like this before. While, after graduation they each will leave the area to begin a new chapter of their lives, they agree that they would volunteer again. “It is really nice to finish each day knowing that everyone on our route has been taken care of with a warm meal and a friendly conversation.”