Extracted from article by James D. Coppinger published in Spark Magazine (May 2025)
Tom Smith retired two years ago after a career in auto claims for an insurance company. In retirement, Tom realized what he had enjoyed most about his work was the interactions with customers and fellow employees and that he missed those personal connections, and he wanted to give back to his community.
Tom was familiar with the Home Delivered Meals program known as Meals on Wheels, and a friend of his encouraged him to contact Milestone to learn more about volunteering. On his first visit to Milestone, he was invited to ride along on a meal delivery route. Before he finished that first route, Tom felt an overwhelming sense of belonging and purpose and realized how rewarding this volunteer position was for him.
Tom currently delivers a couple of regular routes each week and fills in whenever there is a need for a driver or “hopper.” The best part, he says, is the daily contact with the clients on his routes. Tom says he feels as though he gets as much benefit from volunteering with the Home Delivered Meals program as the clients do, he said, “I feel so blessed, and this work puts things into such clear perspective.” One client that stands out for Tom is a wheelchair user on his route who always greets Tom with a huge, genuine smile and thanks him for all he does. Tom says that despite all she could be sad or mad about, she is filled with happiness and gratitude.
Tom encourages others who have the slightest inkling to get involved and share whatever time they might have: “Do it! Don’t just stand on the bank; step in, and it won’t take long before you realize just how fulfilling it is to serve others and be among those with the same positive outlook on life and living. That first step is as simple as stopping by to sample a morning that will get you ‘hooked’.”
Milestone Senior Services is a grantee of the AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP program. AmeriCorps Seniors empowers people aged 55 and older to serve their communities. RSVP helps people find a volunteer opportunity that fits their passion. Milestone placed volunteers at their own agency and at other nonprofits throughout Kalamazoo and Calhoun counties. Contact RSVP at 269-382-0515 or apply on the Volunteer page of our website.
