Joe Walker – Charlottesville
Tell us about your volunteer activities.
For three years, I’ve delivered food weekly for Meals on Wheels’ clients in Charlottesville and the surrounding area.
What inspires you to volunteer?
I’m a retired teacher of 25 years and wanted to spend a portion of my time doing something to help the less fortunate in our community. I am proud to volunteer for a first-class operation like Meals on Wheels, as well as being a part of a group of compassionate and dedicated volunteers—many of whom have gladly given their time and energy for years. Often times, I’ve asked clients their opinion of the fresh hot and cold food they get daily throughout the years, and I can honestly report it has always been positive each and every time (Not one complaint!).
If your volunteer work could make one long-lasting change, what would you want it to be?
The real joy of this volunteer work is that I’ve had the great opportunity to deliver meals on all of the many routes to different sections of our wonderful little town of Charlottesville, and parts of Crozet and Scottsville. Each route has allowed me to experience another set of unique and interesting individuals who are very grateful for our help. Makes my day for sure. By relating my very positive experience as a Meals on Wheels volunteer, I hope I’ve recruited a few new ones.
What is a little-known fact about you?
A little-known fact about me is that I produced a PBS award-winning documentary and instructional CD about the Pony Express while I was a teacher at a private school in Kansas City, Missouri. And I ran 10 marathons!
