Meals co-ordinator hands over roster

Wendy Patterson retired yesterday after 30 years as Age Concern Otago Meals on Wheels co...
Wendy Patterson retired yesterday after 30 years as Age Concern Otago Meals on Wheels co-ordinator. Photo by Peter McIntosh.
After helping deliver about 1 million meals throughout Dunedin, Age Concern Otago Meals on Wheels co-ordinator Wendy Patterson retired yesterday.

The 66-year-old started with the organisation about 30 years ago and enjoyed helping provide meals to people in need "rain, hail or shine".

Mrs Patterson's role involved creating a roster and calling volunteer drivers each morning to remind them of their shift.

"I am going to miss that because there were quite a few you always have a good chat to. Some of them you get really quite friendly with; you just really hit it off.

"It's been a job that I've liked doing, I've enjoyed the people I've worked with and enjoyed all the volunteers."

She also appreciated meeting the programme's clients at an annual luncheon which had been held each year for 17 years.

About 600 people volunteered for meals on wheels, delivering about 34,000 meals a year to Dunedin Hospital clients.

"Having a good, nutritionally correct meal is critical."

Mrs Patterson felt it was the "right time" to move on, with another grandchild due next month, but she would continue to volunteer for the programme as a driver.

"It's something nice to do and keeps you involved. I think working in the not-for-profit sector is really interesting; there are lots of things going on with Age Concern, you really do feel part of helping other people."

- ellie.constantine@odt.co.nz

 

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