Even in the Rain

A PANDEMIC WASN’T GOING TO STOP 83-YEAR-OLD GREYSON PALMER FROM MAKING SURE THOSE IN NEED WERE FED WITH FOOD AND ENCOURAGEMENT.

BY AMY FERGUSON | PHOTOS BY KEITH MCCOY

In times of crisis, like a global pandemic for example, it’s the ones operating behindthe-scenes who make the greatest impact. It’s the Amazon deliverers, grocery store employees, hospital sanitation workers, mailmen and women and so many others who have proven to be the most valuable i life by enhancing the lives of those around him, whether he’s living in a global pandemic or not. Even before the coronavirus disrupted our collective world, Greyson was serving the most vulnerable, the elderly—never mind the fact that he falls into this category himself—by considered more susceptible to the virus and discouraged from being out and about. But you better try again if you think the warning gave Greyson any pause. “When the virus initially struck, we asked the volunteers to stop delivering to protect both them and the meal recipients, all of players of COVID-19. Among the group of delivering food to homebound seniors whom are considered higher risk,” says Ali inspiring all stars in our community is a through the Columbiana Senior Center’s Payne, the executive director of the man who, despite his own susceptibility to Meals on Wheels program. Columbiana Senior Center who manages the virus, refused to let it stop his generosity “I started volunteering because it gave the Meals on Wheels program. “But Greyson towards his fellow humans in great need. me something to do after I retired,” Greyson did not want to give up volunteering. He Let me introduce you to Greyson Palmer, tells me. “But, I really do enjoy the work. continued to call and come by to check on a spry, 83-year-old go-getter who will not Actually, it’s not work to me.” us.” let a silly thing like age slow him down. In In the age of COVID-19, however, A few months later, with new health and fact, Greyson is thriving and lives his best Greyson, being over the age of 65, is safety protocols in place, the center resumed

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT MEALS ON WHEELS

Delivering lunches to senior citizens through Meals on Wheels is more important now than ever, according to Columbiana Senior Center Director Ali Payne. “A lot of seniors aren’t going to the church or store, but for 5 minutes every day someone is asking how they are and making sure they aren’t sick and that they have what they need,” Payne says. The Columbiana program delivers about 50 meals a day to seniors five days a week and welcomes volunteers to join them with COVID safety procedures like Greyson Palmer does. To volunteer, reach out to Ali Payne at 205-669-3969 or APayne@cityofcolumbiana.com, or connect with a senior center near you since most of them offer a similar program.

Greyson Palmer delivers lunch to Columbiana resident Bill Powers.

Sandra Crumpton hands off additional meal supplies to Greyson Palmer at the Columbiana Senior Center.

its somewhat normal operations again. Greyson, protected with a face mask and gloves, was one of the first to happily jump right back into volunteer mode. Exactly no one was surprised.

Pandemic aside, the bedrock of the Meals on Wheels program has always been to deliver nutritious meals to older Americans who lack support, mobility and resources to provide for themselves. But, there’s more to the program than just food. It also serves to provide a connection and companionship for isolated seniors, many of whom are plagued with chronic loneliness. In fact, according to the Meals on Wheels website, 58 percent of home-delivered meal recipients live alone. For many, the person delivering the meal, people like Greyson, is often the only person they will see that day.

“I sort of cut up with [the seniors] a little bit,” Greyson reveals. “I try to get them to smile and laugh every once in a while. They seem to enjoy it.”

But from where Payne sits, Greyson offers much more than that and must give credit where credit is due. “Greyson spends time with each senior, knows the names of

Donna Higgins helps Greyson Palmer take hot meals out to his truck.

their pets, what their kids are doing, and what all is going on in their lives,” Payne says. “He has no affiliation to the program, other than the fact that he just loves to volunteer and help people.”

Not only do the seniors look forward to Greyson’s company, but he’s a welcome sight to the fur-babies along the route as well. “I bring doggie treats with me,” Greyson says. “Folks seem to appreciate that for their pets as well.”

With an age-defying energy level and willingto-do-anything-for-anybody attitude, Greyson’s service towards others certainly does not stop with the Meals on Wheels program. “I’ve seen him buy lunch for strangers, cut a neighbor’s grass and even unclog toilets that didn’t belong to him,” Payne says. “I have never heard Greyson complain, though at 83, I imagine he could.”

For a slightly different perspective on Greyson’s generosity, I connected with his son, Taft Palmer, who lives in Denver, Colorado. Although he is over 1,000 miles away, Taft still keeps up with what his parents are doing and where they are going on a daily basis. So he is not at all surprised when I share with him the wonderful things spoken about his father. In fact, he can quickly identify the two factors he believes drives his father’s dedication to the community: family and faith.

“My grandmother lived ‘til she was 98, and she was the exact same way when it came to

“I REALLY DO ENJOY GETTING OUT AND BEING WITH THE PEOPLE, EVEN ON THE RAINY DAYS, WHEN IT’S SORT OF A CHALLENGE. ” -GREYSON PALMER

Greyson Palmer lives on Lake Lake, where he enjoys fishing as well as riding his motorcycle on nearby roads.

helping others,” Taft tells me. “[My father] feels like he’s doing something that maybe God has put it on his heart to do. Who wouldn’t get a sense of feel-good-ism after you’ve [delivered meals to those in need]? He really does enjoy it.”

On Greyson’s “off-days,” he remains on the go like a man more than half his age. He lives in the Lay Lake area with his wife, Robbie, to whom he’s been married for an incredible 61 years. (The secret to his long and happy marriage has been keeping his mouth shut, he told me with a laugh). With a residence on the lake, it’s only natural that he would enjoy the water, fishing on his boat, and then of course, there’s the occasional cruise on his motorcycle, a hobby that continues to scare both Taft and his sister to this day.

“He’s a rolling stone,” Taft says. “I have to get onto him. Otherwise he will wear himself down.”

To me, it doesn’t sound like Greyson is going to stop rolling anytime soon. He just has so much kindness left to give, and in this social distancing world, we could all use a little more of that, right? “I really do enjoy getting out and being with the people,” Greyson says. “Even on the rainy days, when it’s sort of a challenge.”