VNA Meals on Wheels is honored to be featured in the ABC News Radio Memorial Day Special.  Long-time VNA volunteer and Air Force veteran, Mike Friese, is featured along with some of the senior clients he has delivered meals to West Dallas every Thursday since 2007.  Click here to listen to his inspiring story. 

Johnny and Josephine’s South Dallas home is a testament to their family. Married for more than 60 years, they raised five children together and even met through family! Their family regularly stops by to check-in and three colorful squawking birds and a German Shepherd keep them company, but the daily meals from the Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) Meals on Wheels help a great deal. Johnny and Josephine said how much they appreciate the daily meals and friendly chats they have with VNA Meals on Wheels volunteers.

Having resided in Dallas their entire lives, Johnny and Josephine know their area well and enjoy the safety and comfort of their neighborhood. Johnny is outgoing and makes friends wherever he goes. He is also a devoted and loving husband as Josephine suffered a stroke two years ago, and he has dutifully cared for her in their home ever since. While Johnny and Josephine have family nearby, the friendship provided by VNA Meals on Wheels is invaluable to them and their family members ensuring their nourishment and safety. Your investment in VNA Meals on Wheels ensures we can continue providing the food and friendship to our hungry senior clients in need just like Johnny and Josephine. Go to www.vnatexas.org/give to make your contribution today!

We are excited to announce Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas is our 2022 Mary Bartholow Volunteer of the Year award winner! For Rich Perry, Director of Community Service and Social Justice at Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas, the VNA Meals on Wheels volunteer experience provides a critical Catholic teaching concept: solidarity.

Perry’s question is always, “How do we demonstrate actively with care and concern for those who are marginalized in our communities?” Perry continues saying, “our students have the privilege of encountering those who require meals which is essential. However, something else is essential—and that is the conversation.”

Each Wednesday, Perry’s students disperse across Dallas County, delivering between 34-40 routes. From September 2021-May 2022, the Jesuit team delivered more than 12,000 meals. Students of various backgrounds and experiences are paired together for their delivery experience. New friendships develop and over the course of the year, the concept of “pursuing together” is underscored.

The students unpack their service experience when they return to campus each week and it’s there those reflections and meaningful conversations about their service take place.  Topics include compassion, inclusion, circumstance, neighbors, and solidarity.

Perry, who is celebrating his 20th year at Jesuit and his 18th year in the role of Director of Community Services and Social Justice, says the job is his spiritual calling. The development of compassion in young men and the spiritual encounter itself are what drive his passion.  Perry cannot stress enough the gratitude he has for VNA and the Meals on Wheels program. He says, “Meals on Wheels has opened doors that would otherwise not be opened for our students and that impact has been profound.  Meals on Wheels is contagious.”

Summer is here—with all the fun plans, vacations and camps keeping many of us busy.  For the seniors we serve, summer brings additional challenges with the heat and regular caregivers taking a much-needed break. If you and your family or group are looking for ways to add serving others to your summer plans, look no further than VNA! 

Following are some easy ways to give back:

• Sign up to deliver Meals on Wheels and bring a friend
• Shop for Meals on Wheels client needs, like box fans, on our Amazon Wish List
• Shop for our pediatric hospice patient and family needs, such as art supplies and books on our Amazon Wish List
• Make a gift to help us provide food and comfort to the more than 8,000 clients and patients we serve

Your support during the summer months is more important than ever. Thank you for all you do for VNA and those we serve. Wishing you a safe, happy and healthy summer!

Katherine Krause

VNA President & CEO

© VNATexas.org
1420 W. Mockingbird Ln., Suite 700, Dallas, TX 75247

VNA offers Meals on Wheels in Dallas County, and VNA Hospice Care and Palliative Care in Collin, Cooke, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Fannin, Grayson, Henderson, Hunt, Johnson, Kaufman,
Navarro, Rockwall, Tarrant, Van Zandt and Wise Counties.

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