Extracted from article by James D. Coppinger published in Spark Magazine (Dec 2025)
When Connie Clines and her husband, Charlie, retired they began looking for ways they would fill their retirement years with purpose. Charlie saw a promotion for volunteers needed at Milestone Senior Services in the Home Delivered Meals program. Soon after, the two of them were invited to ride along on a delivery route to find out what that volunteer experience was like.
Connie remembers it vividly – it was a cold, rainy morning. “It couldn’t have been a better experience,” she said, “because we got to see what it was like in the worst conditions.” But regardless of the weather, the experience made an impact and they signed up immediately as a Meals on Wheels delivery team, and it quickly became a rewarding part of their lives.
Charlie drives while Connie “hops”—delivering meals to the door. For Connie, it’s not just about providing food; it’s about dignity, connection, and kindness. She makes a point of addressing each client by name and treating them with respect. She’s also reminded constantly of just how many people need support.
What fills Connie and Charlie with gratitude is the satisfaction of playing even a small role in helping others. Sometimes they take their grandchildren along on deliveries—not just to tag along, but so that they can learn from the experience. Connie explains, “We always talk to them about why we do this. It’s an important life lesson.”
Milestone Senior Services is an AmeriCorps Seniors grantee for the RSVP and Senior Companion Programs in Kalamazoo and Calhoun counties. AmeriCorps Seniors empowers people aged 55 and older to serve their communities. The RSVP program connects volunteers with opportunities throughout the community. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Milestone’s Volunteer Services at 269-382-0515 or apply on our Volunteer Services webpage.
