When Meals on Wheels volunteer Kathleen learned Hermer had lost the use of his beloved chair, she found a local upholsterer willing to repair it at no cost. Her story shows that Meals on Wheels provides more than meals — it brings compassion, support, and care to older adults every day.
To most people, a chair is nothing more than a piece of furniture. But to Hermer, a chair is everything.
Completely blind and afflicted with a sinus issue that prohibits him from sleeping horizontally, the 70-year-old has no choice but to rest in a recliner. When his long-standing chair broke, Hermer wasn’t sure what to do.
“I reared it back and lifted the legs, and it broke. I couldn’t get it to go back down,” said Hermer, who began receiving Meals on Wheels six years ago when his daughter became concerned about his ability to safely prepare warm, nutritious meals. “That was the hardest time I’ve ever had getting out of a chair.”
That afternoon, Meals on Wheels volunteer Kathleen Brady arrived at Hermer’s home. When Kathleen walked inside, she found the homebound senior very distraught over the loss of his chair. “I guess I’m going to have to get a new one,” he said, shaking his head. “But I don’t know how I’m going to do that.”
Knowing the chair’s significance, Kathleen pulled out her phone and began researching. After calling around, she found a local upholstery restoration shop willing to make the repairs. She explained the situation to the owner, Lucio, and even offered to pay for the work.
“I told her there was no charge,” said Lucio. “I felt like it was our duty.”
About an hour later, Hermer was relaxing in his beloved chair. “That was a blessing,” he said.
Again, fixing a recliner may not seem like much. But at Meals on Wheels, we know that small acts of kindness matter. When our volunteers take the extra time to chat with a lonely senior, grab a heavy package off their front stoop, or mend a broken chair, lives are changed.
As a longtime delivery driver, Kathleen understands that many clients like Hermer are alone for days or even weeks at a time and that a loving smile or gesture goes a long way. She finds meaning in these interactions as well.
“I really enjoy [volunteering],” said Kathleen. “I enjoy checking on people.”
Hermer clearly appreciates these visits, too. “It’s really hard to be alone, but God is with me,” he said. “And he sends people like Kathleen to come see me.”
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