Reconnecting to the World Through Friendship

Knowing how valuable and meaningful volunteering can be, Sarah and her co-workers decided to start a Meals on Wheels team together. One day on her route, she met Bill and soon a blossoming friendship began. Throughout the weeks that followed, Sarah and Bill shared their personal stories and poetry too. These conversations were special to Bill, who expressed how thanks to Sarah, he became reconnected to the world he left behind once he retired. Bill has also left a lasting impression on Sarah, who greatly appreciates their weekly talks.

A Team Effort

Providing seniors with the nourishment and companionship they deserve takes a village. That’s one reason why Sarah Diaz rallied her co-workers at Switchback Brewing Company, creating a team to cover a Meals on Wheels route each week.

But Sarah also encouraged her peers to volunteer because she knows how life-changing it can be. For her, that moment came the day she met a client named Bill.

“Hi, are you William?” she asked when he appeared at his front door.

“Me?” the man said, a smirk on his face. “No way, I’m Bill.”

Sarah laughed and agreed to call him by his nickname. “OK, Bill,” she said. “It’s very nice to meet you.”

In the coming weeks, Sarah and Bill’s friendship blossomed. They talked about television, music, and Bill’s 30-year career at the Fletcher Free Library in Burlington, Vermont. “He spoke with such joy and enthusiasm that I knew it would always be a special place to him,” said Sarah.

Meaningful Connections

One day, the conversation turned to poetry — a passion of Bill’s. In his excitement, he pulled out a piece of paper and wrote down the name of his favorite poet, Wallace Stevens. He pressed the note into Sarah’s hand, eager for her to experience the modernist’s intricate, philosophical works.

Right as Bill turned to go inside, he paused. “You know,” he said, “you connect me to the world I left when I retired years ago. The people, the conversations — I don’t get those connections every day the way I used to. Thank you.”

Sarah has been impacted by the friendship, too. “I get so much back from Bill and greatly appreciate our talks,” she said. “Being a Meals on Wheels volunteer has given me the chance to see just how powerful a knock can be for both the recipient and the person delivering.”