ST. PAUL – The clock struck 11 a.m. when Michael Proctor and his wife, Elaine, stepped out of their home in St. Paul. The day was crisp and cold, and a gentle breeze brushed against their faces as they made their way toward their car.
First, they drove to Sunnyside Manor, where the tantalizing aroma of freshly prepared meals greeted them. They loaded up the trolley with around 20 Styrofoam boxes containing the meals, carefully arranging them in their car.
Elaine took the wheel, and they set off toward their first destination. As they arrived at their first stop, Michael hopped out of the car and made his way toward the porch of the house, smiling back at the person who greeted them.
After chatting for a bit, the couple continued their route, with Michael delivering the meals with care and attention to detail, while Elaine navigated the streets of St. Paul.
By about 12:30 p.m., the couple would be back home, set to enjoy the rest of their afternoon.
“Then on the next day... rinse and repeat,” said Michael.
Meals on Wheels
Living in St. Paul for the past 12 years, the couple has been enjoying retirement for five years now. But they have not been sitting idle, choosing to devote much of their time to volunteer work in the community.
The volunteer work includes dedicating many hours making deliveries for Meals on Wheels over the last three-and-a-half years. Meals on Wheels is a program run by St. Paul Regional FCSS. The program provides nutritious meals for a small fee to seniors and people with disabilities who are unable to leave their homes.
“I really enjoy Meals on Wheels... talking to the elderly... and people who may not be able to get out,” said Michael, explaining that some people they deliver to are young but have disabilities.
Speaking about the importance of volunteering, Michael, who worked 41 years with the RCMP, has always believed in giving back to the community. “I just felt that whatever community you’re in, you should try to give back to the community.”
Prior to moving to St. Paul, the couple was involved in other communities they’ve lived in. Michael coached and refereed sports and was involved in various committees, including past experiences as the president of minor hockey in Vegreville, and the past president of a lacrosse association.
In 2007, Michael was hailed as Citizen of the Year in Vegreville, in recognition of his volunteer efforts.
Meanwhile, Elaine’s experiences include her involvement with Vegreville’s agricultural society board, where she volunteered for about 10 years. “It was fun,” Elaine recalls with a smile, explaining that volunteering doesn’t mean you have to know everything.
For example, Elaine said she had no clue about farming when she became involved with the ag society, but the experience still proved fruitful. She also once acted as a treasurer for Vegreville’s minor hockey association.
Not a challenge
When asked if they have faced any challenges as volunteers, Michael said, “I don’t really see it as a challenge.”
“It’s something I want to do, and when you want to do something, it’s not that big of a challenge... I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t want to do it,” he said.
“...Even when it’s storming outside,” added Elaine, referring to their work with Meals on Wheels.
Michael let out a chuckle and looked at Elaine. “Not this year, but last winter, there was that one bad snowstorm where I was plowing through hip-deep snow to get to their doors.”
“The weather was bad that day,” recalled Elaine with a nod. But they persevered.
“You do it for your own satisfaction. It’s for the people. You don’t do it for recognition or anything like that,” said Michael.
The couple looked at each other and in sync said, “We do it because we want to.”
Michael further added, “It’s not that big of a thing out of the day. It’s actually enjoyable in the summer. But I have to admit, sometimes it’s not that much fun in December and January,” to which the couple shared a laugh.
Not the only ones
According to the couple, they find it easy to fit volunteering into their day and see it as a way to give back to the community.
Also, “when you’re retired, you’ve got more time to volunteer,” acknowledged Elaine.
Michael added that there are many people in St. Paul – and elsewhere – who step forward to volunteer their time.
There are “so many people who give back,” he said. “You’d be surprised at how many people give up their time to volunteer.”
Aside from Meals on Wheels, the couple stays busy by being involved in other activities in St. Paul.
Michael, for example, is the vice-president of St. Paul Abilities Network (SPAN) board, and Elaine is involved with the Quilting Bees, a St. Paul based quilting club that sews quilts for those battling cancer.
“[Volunteering] is enriching... it makes for strong communities,” said Michael.
