More Than a Meal

A few weeks ago, Bill Copithorne, a local real estate agent and Meals on Wheels volunteer, was delivering a meal to a 93-year-old Arlington woman, as he does every Thursday, when he noticed something wrong.

Not only did it take the woman an extra long time to reach the door, but when he entered, she seemed confused, disoriented.

Copithorne immediately called for help, and soon the woman was on the way to a hospital for a check-up.

“Bill’s a hero,” said Katie Shepard, who manages Minuteman Senior Services’ Meals on Wheels program at the Arlington Senior Center. “He quite possibly saved her life.”

Copithorne, who has been delivering the meals for about a year, is one of many volunteers at the site, one of two in town, but the program is still desperately in need of more, according to Shepard. Her site delivers more than 50 meals per day, she said.

Copithorne said last Thursday he feels like he’s getting the better end of the deal.

“I look forward to doing this every week,” he said en route.

The Meals on Wheels volunteers fill three critical roles, Shepard said, they provide the seniors with nutritious meals, they give them key social contact and they look out for any potential health or safety issues.

“Sometimes our volunteers are the only people these seniors see all day,” Shepard said.

Last Thursday, Copithorne returned to the 93-year-old woman’s residence, where she greeted him in much better spirits.

“You always look great Bill,” she said. “How nice of you to come and bring me a meal.”

When Copithorne asked how she was feeling, she seemed unfazed.

“I’m 93,” she said. “These things happen.”

To volunteer for Minuteman Senior Services’ Meals on Wheels program, which is funded by local, state and federal grants, you can contact the main office at 781-272-7177, or Katie Shepard at the Arlington site, 781-316-3423, or Kim Fitzgerald at the Arlington Heights site in Drake Village, 781-221-7081. There is no commitment requirement, Shepard said, even volunteering once a month is greatly appreciated.