On Friday, September 14, 11 NIPSCO employees from the Business Support Services, came to Meals on Wheels in Merrillville and helped clean up our outside grounds, landscape and wash and clean our vans for the non-profit agency.
Jim Leslie, the lead for the team, set forth ground rules, safety rules, and goals during the afternoon. All 11 teams members were involved in sweeping the parking lot, trimming ever greens on the south side of the building, weeding, cutting back and trimming around the east side of the building, then finished their afternoon washing and cleaning the inside of 9 vans used in delivery Monday through Friday by Meals on Wheels. One of the paid drivers, Jennifer, stated, “wow, I am so excited to have my van cleaned inside and out.” Many drivers do not have the time to clean their vans weekly, so they appreciated all of the efforts of the NIPSCO team.
The original date in August was washed out by rain, so today’s schedule worked out with temperatures in the high 70’s. It was a beautiful day to do the outside work. According to Joan Vith, Volunteer Manager, “One of the most rewarding jobs in our communities is volunteering to help your neighbors. We cannot complete our mission without the services of volunteers, and NIPSCO has been a great corporate volunteer group. We appreciate all the NIPSCO employees and their services to Meals on Wheels.“
Team members include: Jim Leslie, Donna Gutierrez, Angela Rodrigues, Jill Habath, Lauren Hamsha, Jaime Socci, Shirley Rippy, Tina Ramos-Weitzel, Char Tebo, Josh Puzey, and Curtis James.
Founded in 1977, Meals on Wheels of Northwest Indiana is non-profit serving Lake County, Indiana. Meals on Wheels delivers meals to those in need five days a week using community volunteers. More information about Meals on Wheels can be found at www.mownwi.org