Every Tuesday and Thursday, Sierra and her dedicated crew roll up to the kitchen, ready for another meaningful day. Today, Caran, Katrina, and Kelli—three participants from Easterseals Hawaii’s Adult Day Center—hop out of the car, each proudly wearing a blue Hawai’i Meals on Wheels T-shirt. They eagerly greet the kitchen manager and load up ten hot meals for their McCully delivery route.
“Delivering meals is a fun opportunity to practice important skills like communication and making eye contact,” says Sierra Fallau, DSW (Direct Support Worker) at Easterseals Hawaii. “On the road, they rotate roles—helping with navigation, reviewing our binder of clients and their meal types, and interacting with clients. They truly enjoy connecting with those they serve.”
Volunteering not only helps Caran, Katrina, and Kelli develop social skills and engage with the community, but it also supports their journey towards greater independence. Both Hawai’i Meals on Wheels and Easterseals Hawaii share this commitment to those we serve—to foster social connections and enhance independence.
One of the volunteers’ favorite stops is Darlene’s home. Thanks to the generous support of friends like you, Darlene and her husband Daniel receive hot, medically tailored meals to meet their specific dietary needs. Kelli opens the trunk, unloads the meals, and hands them to Darlene with a warm smile.
“Meals mean so much to me and my husband,” Darlene says, with tears of gratitude in her eyes. “We’re living paycheck to paycheck on social security. Some days it feels hard to get by. Sierra and her team always brighten my day. They ask about my morning, how my husband is doing, and we talk story. I feel so comfortable sharing my concerns.”
For Caran, Katrina, and Kelli, their time on the road is more than just delivering meals. It’s about building connections in their community and sharing experiences with each other. When asked about their favorite part of volunteering, Kelli shares:
“My favorite part of delivering meals is seeing our clients every week. I’m having fun giving meals and checking in with them every week.”
Kelli has been an Adult Day Center participant for 12 years. Ella Aiwohi, Program Manager of Easterseals Hawaii’s Adult Service Center, notes that opportunities like this have been instrumental in helping Kelli achieve her goals of improving social interactions and building meaningful connections with others.
“It’s wonderful to see how Kelli has become more confident in engaging with people and has formed genuine bonds with those she serves,” Ella shares.
Michelle Cordero-Lee, CEO of Hawai’i Meals on Wheels, highlights how well Hawai’i Meals on Wheels and Easterseals Hawaii’s missions align.
“Both Hawai’i Meals on Wheels and Easterseals Hawaii are deeply committed to caring for the whole person. Whether it’s offering volunteer opportunities for adults with disabilities or delivering nourishing meals to homebound kūpuna, we share a common mission of improving the quality of life for those we serve. This partnership beautifully demonstrates how we can work together to create a more inclusive and supportive community.”
Mahalo nui loa to Sierra and Easterseals Hawaii volunteers! Their dedication and positive spirits are a beacon of hope and a testament to the power of volunteering.
