Feeding the Community Spirit
Volunteering at 90 is no problem!
By John Green

Ken Rich, 90, and his wife Flo are volunteers with Caledon Meals on Wheels.

One of our volunteers, Ken Rich, proudly celebrated his 90th birthday Aug. 3.

Both he and his wife Flo have delivered our meals for the past five years and in addition Flo has been a one of our volunteer visitors for some 7 or 8 years. Reaching 90 years of age has not impeded Ken's vibrant enthusiasm, vitality and determination to continue volunteering and to look at him one would never know he is 90. Ken does not require eye glasses and still holds a driver's licence and drives their car on their meals delivery route.

Ken was born in Truro, Cornwall, England and at the age of five moved with his family to the U.S. where they settled in Philadelphia. Three years later saw the family move to Toronto. Flo grew up on a farm in Manitoba and moved to Toronto in 1953. During WW2 Ken served with the RCAF working on the testing of an experimental radar ground control approach system. For some time he was at the RAF Coastal Command Station at St. Eval in Cornwall, the county of his birth in England.

Flo and Ken met at their workplace, the Robert Simpson Company. Flo related that there was a Mr. Rich, a very kind and helpful gentleman working in the credit department. If ever she had a problem Flo would go to see Mr. Rich who was always pleased to help. Their friendship blossomed and they were married in 1980 and moved to Palgrave a year later. At retirement Ken was manager of the credit department. Flo worked in "The Room," famous for ladies high class fashions and at retirement was the assistant manager. Ken and Flo worked for the company for 33 and 18 years respectively.

As they put it they have a "blended" family totaling six children from their previous marriages. Flo has one son and Ken has three sons and two daughters and they have 10 grandchildren. They are looking forward to the birth of their first greatgrandchild later this year. Flo enjoys crocheting and they both very much enjoy

cruising and so far have taken 12 cruises. Ken keeps busy in their garden and of course their volunteer work is always enjoyed.

Asked why they volunteer both said that they get great satisfaction and pleasure in giving back to the community through helping others. Flo and Ken attend Caven Presbyterian Church in Bolton.

Flo and Ken are two further examples from our loyal and dedicated band of volunteers. Age is no barrier and we find that as our volunteers age many of them seem to do so with such grace and often also seem to stay young at heart. Many of them say that their volunteer work helps them to achieve these things. All of our volunteers give so much of themselves, often unsung over many years so that others may experience a better life, so making our little part of this world a better place.

Can you spare just a few hours each month, for we need help in each of our programs. The volunteer decides how much time to donate, as little or as much as they wish. Please call 905-857-7651 or if Bolton is long distance for you please call 905-584-2992 and please visit our Web site www.cmow.org for details of all our programs and services.