Nutan’s Decades of Service and Celebrating Milestones with Betsy

Decades of Service

In 1994, Nutan Patel felt lost. She knew her son with special needs deserved a life rich in meaningful experiences — a life that involved more than medical visits. But she wasn’t sure how to provide that.

Fortunately, on Monday, March 21, Nutan opened the newspaper. While skimming through the headlines, she saw an advertisement for Meals on Wheels. They needed drivers to deliver warm, nutritious meals to elderly individuals in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Intent on getting her son out into the community, Nutan signed up.

In the decades to follow, Nutan and her family nurtured long-lasting relationships with dozens of clients. However, their bond with a homebound senior named Betsy was particularly special.

Betsy lived alone, and didn’t receive many visitors besides Nutan and her son. Understanding how isolated she must have felt, Nutan always spent a few extra minutes chatting and helping with small tasks around the house, like opening cans or picking up heavy packages.

Celebrating Milestones Together Over the Years

As the years went by, Betsy and Nutan grew closer and closer. They celebrated special milestones like birthdays and school graduations together. During the pandemic, Nutan continued to call Betsy to provide comfort from afar. Those chats always lifted Betsy’s spirits.

“She was a very sweet, lonely lady,” Nutan said of Betsy. “I was always happy to see her and talk with her.”

Nutan’s son was also happy to visit with Betsy. After all, the senior had become something of a grandmother to him.

Today, Nutan’s son is all grown up. But he still helps deliver meals when she can’t make it to her Friday route. Nutan has also taken another assistant under her wing: a Special Olympics athlete named Paula.

“[Volunteering] has been special for all of us,” said Nutan.