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Volunteer Stories
Darlene started volunteering on the tray line at the Steinbeck Center, when we served hot meals in Salinas. In early 2007, when we switched to all frozen meals, she agreed to take on a new volunteer position.
When her husband, Bill, retired from his job as staffing consultant/recruiter for Wells Fargo Bank, in December of 2007, he decided that he wanted to help, too. “Team Clevenger” is at the Meals on Wheels warehouse every Tuesday and Thursday morning getting the meals organized by route, greeting the volunteer drivers when they arrive, helping wherever they’re needed, and spreading their infectious energy and positive attitude.
When asked to name the most rewarding thing about volunteering for Meals on Wheels of the Salinas Valley, Darlene and Bill said it is helping others and seeing how much of a difference one person can make in people’s lives. Darlene said, “Meals on Wheels supplies food and a bit of a social outlet for the clients and volunteers. Anyone considering volunteering should do it. It is worth your time.” Bill described Meals on Wheels as a “great program, good food, very efficient use of funds. This is a fun, lively bunch of folks to work with. It is minimum time for maximum effect.”
Bill and Darlene moved to Salinas in 2000 to be closer to their daughter Marie, son-in-law Brian and grandchildren, Kylie and Jason. They have another daughter, Tristan, who lives in Paradise, California with their other grandchildren, Kyla and Dayan. These two may be retired, but they don’t sit around. Darlene volunteers 2 -3 days a week at Mission Park Elementary School and reads, crochets, and does needlepoint in her spare time. Bill is an avid bicyclist – riding and racing both road and mountain bikes. He also plays locally in a classic rock band, the “Wharf Rats.”
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Darlene Clevenger has been volunteering for over 8 years. She had retired from working as a retail clerk and produce manager and wanted to find a cause where she could help. Lucky for us, she chose Meals on Wheels. |
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Meals on Wheels |
