Recently, we welcomed back Nick, a long-time volunteer of the Senior Meals program, who returned after finishing his chemotherapy treatment. You may recognize Nick from this story on our blog last year.
Nick is 73 years old and has been a dedicated volunteer with HIP since 2017. Though he was born in Germany, he has lived in Seattle for 95% of his life. Throughout his career, he held various jobs, ranging from night shifts in manual labor to working at Microsoft. After he retired, he began volunteering in our Senior Meals program by welcoming participants and checking them in.
Nick joined as a volunteer to stay active, often helping set up tables before lunchtime to get some extra exercise. For him, it was a win-win, improving his health and that of the community, noting, “This program keeps me active and alive because I’m doing something helpful. It benefits me and others, too.” He also appreciates how the meal program provides balanced, healthy food, especially since his impulse would be to consume junk food or microwavable meals.
The Senior Meals program transformed since Nick began volunteering. He was a consistent volunteer when the pandemic hit in 2020. Reflecting on that time, Nick shared, “During COVID, nobody could talk [during the meals], and we could only eat outside for the first 4 months.” Later, after the Lake City Community Center caught fire in 2023, Nick was there for us through the transition to serving at the Lamb of God Church. With those hardships in the background, Nick contrasted, “Now, it’s loud, with people laughing and talking. It’s great!”
Last year, Nick was hit with a diagnosis that prevented him from volunteering for many weeks. In fact, his intensive 24-hour chemotherapy treatments left him unable to leave the house at all. Thanks to his time volunteering with us, however, he knew exactly who to call for healthy and delicious meals. Over the course of his recovery, the Senior Meals program delivered meals directly to Nick’s doorstep, just as he provided meals for all the other seniors in the community.
Recently, Nick returned to volunteering with us. After all of that time cooped up at home, he was excited to socialize with the seniors again. More than an opportunity to help his community and exercise, he cherishes the Senior Meals program as a welcoming space for connection, stating, “I get to know people- see a lot of different people and different aspects of people. It helps me mentally.”
