Doresta McIntosh (left) was one of 46 volunteers who stepped-up to make Meals on Wheels deliveries for Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services the morning of Thanksgiving. The volunteers allowed most regular drivers to have the day off, but McIntosh volunteered to come in and do her regular route on the holiday. She’s seen here with SCES Community Meals Program Director Deborah McLean.

By Nathan Lamb

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

For many of us, Thanksgiving is probably some welcome time off. But for some it was also a chance to give back, by volunteering to help Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES) make Meals on Wheels deliveries.

All told, 46 volunteers stepped-up for Meals on Wheels on Thanksgiving, allowing our regular drivers to enjoy the day off. Our thanks go out to the volunteers who made that possible, and to staff members who chose to come in and help out.

It was also a classic example of many hands making for light work: On average, our volunteers spent an hour working for SCES on the holiday, and in that time they delivered 177 dinners to Meals on Wheels clients. They were also helping the SCES SeniorPet program, by delivering 31 meals for cats, 7 meals for dogs, 3 meals for birds, and 3 meals for turtles. Outstanding work!

In addition to providing a warm meal, our drivers often spend a few minutes chatting with clients, reaching out to others who may be feeling depressed or isolated during the holidays. In many ways, our volunteer programs provide more than just material support.

For those who’d like to get involved with something great like this, here’s some good news: volunteerism is an ongoing activity at SCES. We have a diverse array of ongoing and one-day opportunities to make a difference in the local community. Typical activities include bagging groceries, providing medical escort or advocacy, or just volunteering to be a good neighbor for those who need companionship or minor help around the house.

Our website, eldercare.org, has a full listing of volunteer programs under the “Join Us” tab. Or contact Marie Mazzeo via email at vol@eldercare.org or by calling 617-628-2601, x3051 to learn more. I’m sure she’d be happy to hear from you.

Nathan Lamb is Director of Outreach and Community Relations at Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services.

About SCES: Established in 1972, Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services is a private, non-profit agency dedicated to improving the quality of life and maintaining the dignity and independence of older people in Somerville and Cambridge. For more information visit eldercare.org or follow SCES on Facebook and Twitter.