Hundreds of volunteers serve meals to seniors across Dallas County

DALLAS — The frigid weather didn’t deter hundreds of volunteers from serving seniors across Dallas County.

“We do this every single year,” said 17-year-old Sai Kalyaan who spends part of each holiday break volunteering.

In below freezing temperatures, 600 North Texans compassionately came together for a special Christmas delivery.

“My kids, they’re all home for the holidays and it’s just a fun way for us to go and be together and help people,” Jenna Woodberry said.

Without missing a beat, thousands of meals were prepared, packed and distributed into the loving hands of people like Woodberry, whose family makes the Visiting Nurse Association Meals on Wheels Christmas distribution part of their annual holiday tradition.

“We’ve got our heaters on and our warmest clothes and, you know, we’ll just run up to the door real quick and give our greetings,” she said.

Deliveries included a warm meal of turkey breast, cornbread stuffing, vegetables and pudding, along with holiday gift bags of full-sized toiletries.

Jennifer Austin, the Visiting Nurse Association’s Managing Director of Development and Communications, let us ride along on her West Dallas route.

“If there were ice on the road that would be a different thing. We want to keep our volunteers and our staff safe,” Austin said. “But we are really glad that we are able to deliver today.”

One of the stops brought us face-to-face with 99 year old Laila, who said she has a birthday coming up.

“January the 27th. [I will be] 100, I think!” Laila laughed.

The hot meals proved to be as important as the social nutrition that the homebound seniors receive.

“This is really an opportunity to connect, have that friendship and someone just to check on you and say Merry Christmas, I’m thinking about you today,” Austin said.

No matter how cold it gets, there is plenty of warmth in the generous hearts of North Texans.

“Their smile just lights me up,” Kalyaan said. “It’s amazing!”

VNA is always looking to expand its volunteer base.

If you’d like to help, click here.