Meals on Wheels client Harry Shelton (center, holding samples of his work) with volunteer Tom Morrissey (left) and DFMOW Outreach Coordinator Margo Perrello (right). Submitted Photo.

For many years, Dunkirk-Fredonia Meals on Wheels client Harry Shelton’s primary hobby was collecting trains and other toys. When things began to get a little tight in his small apartment he decided it was time to take up a new hobby.

Harry’s interest turned to plastic canvas.

“There are all kinds of things you can make with plastic canvas — decorative items, useful items like boxes,” said Harry. “I really enjoy the creativity of it.”

Dunkirk-Fredonia Meals on Wheels first became aware of Harry’s new hobby after he sent more than three dozen Christmas-themed tree ornaments, tabletop decor and magnets to the agency’s office in celebration of its Subaru’s Share the Love Event.

“The decorations arrived as we were preparing for our Holiday Open House,” said Deb Pacos, Executive Director, Dunkirk-Fredonia Meals on Wheels. “Everyone who attended noticed and admired the unique and colorful plastic canvas figures adorning the tree, refreshment table — even our filing cabinets!”

In addition to “Sharing the Love” with Meals on Wheels, Harry also made decorations for the WCA Home in Fredonia in return for the cards and tray favors they create for Meals on Wheels clients throughout the year.

“I wanted to show my appreciation for the volunteers that bring our meals, and for the thoughtful people at WCA Home,” said Harry.

During Subaru’s annual Share the Love Event Dunkirk-Fredonia Meals on Wheels invites the community to “Share the Love” with homebound neighbors during what otherwise may be a lonely time of year for them. Again this year area business leaders were invited to ride along with Meals on Wheels volunteers, and individuals and community organizations were encouraged to perform “random acts of sharing.” This year several organizations responded, including Upward Bound, WCA Home, and Harvest Chapel.

Since 2008, the Subaru Share the Love Event has helped local Meals on Wheels programs deliver over 2.2 million meals to vulnerable seniors nationwide. By purchasing or leasing a new Subaru during the Subaru Share the Love Event (November 14, 2019 through January 2, 2020) and selecting Meals on Wheels as your charity of choice, you can help deliver nutritious meals and other important services to seniors right here in Northern Chautauqua County.

Dunkirk-Fredonia Meals on Wheels is supported by a corps of more than 60 volunteers who deliver hot, nutritious meals, warm smiles and a safety check that helps keep over 300 seniors healthy, safe and living independently in their own homes each year.

A United Way Community Partner, Meals on Wheels also receives support for its programs and operations from the Chautauqua County Office for the Aging, Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation, area service organizations, churches and individual donors.

For more information about how you can help bring nutrition and independence to more of our senior neighbors, phone Dunkirk-Fredonia Meals on Wheels at 366-8822, or email to dpacosdfmow@netsync.net.