Mom Delivers Meals, Smiles To Springfield Seniors

SPRINGFIELD, NJ — A West Orange local and mother of four volunteers on a weekly basis, delivering Meals on Wheels to home-bound older adults in Springfield.

Courtney Sollie got involved with SAGE Eldercare of Summit back in January and has since turned her weekly trips into a fun adventure with friends and their children.

“Volunteering with Meals on Wheels is a great thing for moms with small kids. When the friend that comes with me has kids, we bring them and sometimes they’ll eat lunch in the car together, or we laugh and sing songs,” Sollie said. “It’s like a coffee date or play date with friends, except we’re doing something good.”

Sollie and the children are welcomed among Springfield Meals on Wheels recipients such as Ursula who enjoys the little helpers visits.

“My grandfather was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels in Pennsylvania so it was nice to be able to do something that had significance in my family,” Sollie said. “It’s been really fun, and the families are so appreciative and it feels like such a small thing for me to do. We might be the only person they speak to all day, and it’s nice to be that person.”

SAGE Volunteer Coordinator Amy Stuart is grateful for Sollie’s help and encourages others to think of volunteering even with small children in their care.

“Courtney is a great role model for her kids and for other parents. We’re so glad she found a way to volunteer and make it enjoyable for her children, as well,” Stuart said. “SAGE depends on the support of its volunteers to make a difference in the lives of older adults in our community.”

In addition to delivering Meals on Wheels, there are many projects and opportunities for volunteers at SAGE. Volunteers are also needed for the weekly SAGE grocery shopping and errand service, becoming a program assistant with the Spend-A-Day adult day health care program, various office-related tasks and more.

For more information call 908-598-5514 or visit www.sageeldercare.org/help-sage/volunteer.

(Photos by Jennifer Hinger)

Photo 1 - Courtney and Norah (age 14 months) Sollie, of West Orange, deliver meals in Springfield for SAGE Eldercare’s Meals on Wheels.

Photo 2 - West Orange residents Skye and Ford (age 4) Monahan and Courtney and Norah (age 14 months) Sollie pose with one of the Meals on Wheels participants after delivering her lunch in Springfield.

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