Is it because it’s the right thing to do or because you enjoy
cooking? What is the reason a person would prepare, share and
deliver a portion of their Thanksgiving dinner to someone unable to
cook their own meal?

At least 12 volunteers in Bradford came forward Thursday to
deliver Thanksgiving meals to what would normally be Meals on
Wheels recipients.

“It’s a good thing to do,” said Valerie Meacham, a volunteer.
“We know there are people out there who don’t have what we have –
and we don’t have a lot but we like to share it.

“When the kids were younger, they used to make cards and draw a
picture to send with the meal,” added Meacham. “We have been doing
this quite a few years.

“And for those that aren’t diabetics, we load them up!” she said
with a laugh.

Meacham said every year, she and her sisters, Jan Ryan and Jody
Zimmerman, and their husbands, get together for Thanksgiving. The
men usually deliver the meals, but this year, she said, her
daughter will be visiting from Florida to help with the
delivery.

The recipient of the Meachams’ meal is Mary Green, who lives at
Emery Towers. She is very grateful for the offerings.

“I think it’s wonderful. I wasn’t invited out to the kids’ house
this year. It’s just me and the cat, and the roads aren’t getting
any better,” she said Tuesday evening while it snowed, little did
she know inches of snow would fall on Thanksgiving Day.

Green’s 14-year-old cat’s name is Stimpy, and when the meal was
delivered, Stimpy was at the door to greet the guests as well.

“She’s just not used to so many people here at one time,” said
Green while Stimpy decided everyone was OK enough to lay right in
the pathway leading to the door.

“I’m on oxygen, and it’s not easy to get out. I appreciate the
meals I get,” she added explaining she receives meals each weekday
as part of the American Red Cross Meals on Wheels program.

This Thanksgiving meal is also coordinated by the Red Cross
Chapter in Bradford, explained its executive director.

“These are not our normal drivers. They are people who have
generously offered to do this,” said Greg Ulyan, executive director
of the Bradford chapter. “We do this every year, and we will do it
again on Christmas Day. We even have one person signed up to
volunteer for that day already.”

Green said the delivered Thanksgiving meal came in handy a few
years ago for her as well.

“I had a stroke, and when I got home, I didn’t feel like going
anywhere – so I received Thanksgiving dinner from them that year,”
she said with appreciation.

Also sharing her Thanksgiving dinner with someone in need is
Melissa Ibanez.

“I really believe in what the Red Cross does. I have been a
long-time volunteer with them in disaster services and giving
blood. I saw this in the paper and thought what a nice thing to do
for someone who didn’t have anyone to share a meal with or needed
help with a meal,” said Ibanez.

She said she likes to add in a little extra turkey for leftovers
and sandwiches.

“That’s my favorite part!” she added saying she likes to cook
and likes the opportunity this provides in helping people out.

“It’s up to us to help each other,” she said. “I would hope that
if I was in that kind of a situation and I needed that kind of help
someone would.

“I called and said I would take on a second person, and they
said they didn’t need it,” continued Ibanez. “I think it’s nice we
have a lot of people in Bradford that when things get tough people
step up to the plate and help out.”