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Tortugas mascot delivers meals to seniors
visited the Ormond Beach Senior Center on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 21 and 22.
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On Thursday, March 23, City Commissioner Lori Tolland assisted in the meal deliveries.
At the senior center, laughter filled the room as the playful Sheldon interacted with Meals on Wheels clients.
ABBIE PACE CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Local celebrities delivered Meals on Wheels to seniors last month in a Council on Aging of Volusia County initiative in recognition of March as National Nutrition Month.
The celebrities included Volusia County Sheriff Michael Chitwood, Deltona Mayor Santiago Avila and Sheldon, mascot of the Daytona Tortugas, who joined COA’s Meals on Wheels drivers for special deliveries to clients across the county, according to a press release.
In Ormond Beach, Sheldon
These meal deliveries are the only source of interaction for some seniors in the county, according to the COA.
“A good amount of [seniors] don’t have family living in the area or they have family that only come to visit a certain amount of time, because they work,” said Doreen Willett, Council on Aging of Volusia County community engagement liaison.
COA reports that 94% of Meals on Wheels clients live below the poverty line. One in four seniors live alone. Their food needs are often left unfulfilled, Willett said.
“Vulnerable seniors who have lived their lives and live full lives are in the position now where they need some help,” Willett said.
Beginning in 1967, the nonprofit Council on Aging of Volusia County has helped provide in-home care, help with light chores, and activities at senior centers in addition to its Meals on Wheels program, which provides meal deliveries and care to local vulnerable senior citizens.
Willett reflected on the rewarding moments she’s experienced through deliveries.
“There’s so many very organic moments, and seeing people’s smiles who might not necessarily have a lot to smile about makes a big difference,” she said.
The Volusia County Meals on Wheels team is composed of over 300 volunteers. Visit coavolusia.org.
