“Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in.” — Unknown
Had I known what a blessing it would have been to my life and those around me, I would have started this journey with Blue Ledge Meals on Wheels much earlier. We all see there is a need in the communities we live in, but we rarely have the chance to make a difference. When I signed up to be a volunteer driver in 2007, I had no idea how impactful this decision would become. With only 3 clients we were servicing at that time, I had no real understanding of the need our county truly had. I also had no clear vision for what we could provide. That need in Amherst County is still here. It is actually more present than ever. Our local Meals on Wheels program has expanded from our small group of 5 volunteers and 3 clients. Exponentially. From one route to 5, we are continuing to service your loved ones and neighbors. But the need is deep, and we need you to help us fill in the gaps.
Right now, we have openings on our North Route, our East Route, and our Faulconerville Route. These positions can be filled once a month, once a week, or whatever fits your schedule. There is nothing more fulfilling than the opportunity to share a moment with a homebound individual who only spends time with another person once a day. I always think about my grandmother that lived states away and had no one to visit. This is the chance to make a difference for those that have no one else around them.
Blue Ledge is an all-volunteer Meals On Wheels program that serves homebound elderly and disabled individuals in Amherst County. We see ourselves as largely a rural program, serving isolated individuals who have no other options for prepared meal delivery. However, with cuts in government sponsored programs we are receiving more referrals for individuals in the Town of Amherst who need our help.
All of Blue Ledge is volunteer, but the volunteer drivers make it work. Once someone signs on to drive, we almost never lose them as volunteers. It is such a short time commitment (1 hour or so) and such a huge contribution to the community. Please consider volunteering for Blue Ledge. The more drivers we have , the more clients we can serve.
OUR DELIVERY ROUTES:
We have four routes serving supper, with pickup between 4:15 and 5:15 at a restaurant or church in the Town of Amherst. One is in the Town of Amherst, one goes west and north from town; one goes east from town and one goes south from town toward Faulconerville.
We have two other routes serving lunch, with pickup around noon from restaurants either in Lowesville area or in Amherst, depending on the day. These routes serve the Lowesville area and the Warrick Barn/Rt 151 area.
For specific details call Tammy at 434 942-4864
FLEXIBLE ALTERNATIVES FOR VOLUNTEERS:
The variety of routes offer flexibility as to the time of day and location that might suit a prospective volunteer. There is flexibility in other ways as well.
Volunteer Driver Options include:
One Route - One Day each week
One Route - One Day the 1st and 3rd week OR one day the 2nd and 4th week (5th week is covered by a substitute driver)
One Route - One Day each month
Substitute
A popular option is to sign up with a friend and share a route. However Blue Ledge can also match up volunteers who wish to choose the once or twice a month option.
As always, substitutes stand ready to step in whenever a driver finds he/she must miss a day. We are always looking for more substitutes who have 'right of refusal' whenever called. Any kind of commitment can be accommodated.
Blue Ledge provides drivers with quality delivery equipment to maintain appropriate food temperatures.
There are several prospective clients on our waiting list in many parts of the county, but we can't serve them without new routes and more volunteer drivers.
For more information, or to request an application form be mailed to you, please call Tammy Martin at 942-4864 or email coordinator@blueledge.org.
Volunteer by downloading a volunteer application form and mailing it to Blue Ledge, PO Box 1332, Amherst, VA 24521.
