Aline and Lorraine: Volunteering is About Heart, Not the Amount of Time

Meet sisters Aline Gamlin and Lorraine Audet. These two sisters have been volunteering for Meals on Wheels for over 22 years combined! Aline began volunteering after seeing her stepson and his mother work for Meals on Wheels and later she recruited Lorraine to join her.

During the COVID pandemic, Aline and Lorraine increased their time to 5 days a week to help with staffing shortages, a commitment that Aline has generously continued to this day. Lorraine joins her sister 3 days a week, and the two sisters together shine with their amazingly positive attitudes and quick-witted humor. They brighten the days of staff and volunteers during the morning packing of meals, and are a wonderful example of what our mission of giving is all about.

Aline continues to volunteer because of how rewarding the work is, saying “Helping people less fortunate, knowing they are getting a meal, makes me feel good.” Her compassion for older adults is contagious.

Lorraine offered this advice for future volunteers: “It’s a great way to start the day. Getting up in the morning, I know I have a purpose.”

Aline summed up their volunteering perfectly when she said “Kindness costs nothing, but it is very important.”

Thank you Aline and Lorraine for the kindness you show each day to your community, and for your generous spirit. Meals on Wheels could not complete our mission without people like you!

Meet Eiric Marro, a Meals on Wheels volunteer driver in Nashua. Eiric has always had the heart of a volunteer. After serving in the Marines for 5 years, Eiric chose to volunteer with the Army. More recently, Eiric retired from teaching Pre-Engineering, Draft/Design, and other subjects at Alvirne High School after 18 years. Eiric wanted to give back to the community and chose Meals on Wheels, stating: “The people here are very helpful and supportive.”

When he isn’t delivering meals, you will likely find Eiric on his bicycle. He is an avid CycleCross competitor and has been participating in the sport for over 30 years. “It’s never easy, and that’s what I like about it” says Eiric. Cyclecross has taken Eiric as far as Belgium to compete.

Thank you for your service to our country and to the participants of Meals on Wheels Eiric!

Ed Duer- NH Outstanding Volunteer Service/Champion Award

We are happy to announce that our amazing volunteer driver, Ed Duer, was named as the recipient of the 2022 Spirit of NH Outstanding Volunteer Service/Champion Award in the adult category! Ed has been volunteering with us for 23 years and has done double, even triple, duty sometimes covering additional Meals on Wheels routes, especially during the worst of the pandemic. Our participants love him and we are so grateful to have him on our staff. Hundreds of people have been helped to stay in their homes due to his long-term commitment to them and to our agency.

Congratulations Ed! Well-deserved!