Two Maroondah councillors marked National Volunteer Week with a ‘hands-on’ taste of life as a volunteer when they assisted with Meals on Wheels deliveries on Tuesday 12 May.

Councillors Paul Macdonald and Alex Makin joined the morning run of Maroondah’s two Meals on Wheels services – based in Ringwood and Croydon – to deliver food throughout the municipality.

“Each year two Maroondah councillors hit the road with our dedicated Meals on Wheels volunteers to help distribute meals during National Volunteer Week and show our appreciation for the work they do,” Cr Macdonald said.

“While we understand that promotion is something some volunteers may shy away from, we believe it is important to recognise the vital role they play behind the scenes of community life,” Cr Macdonald said.

“National Volunteer Week is a fitting occasion to thank all of our volunteers for donating their time to help others,” Cr Macdonald said.

Cr Alex Makin said around 220 volunteers made it possible to provide the Meals on Wheels service to Maroondah residents each year.

“Meals on Wheels is a Council-run Home and Community Care service and its viability depends very much on the volunteers who cheerfully and willingly keep the service running,” Cr Makin said.

“An average of 1100 meals are made and delivered under the program each week. These are delivered to people in the community who are having difficulty in preparing and cooking their own meals,” Cr Makin said.

National Volunteer Week (Monday 11 to Sunday 17 May) is the largest celebration of volunteerism in Australia. It provides an opportunity to highlight the role of volunteers in our community and to say ‘thank-you’ to the more than five million Australians who give their time for the benefit of others.

To find out how you can make a difference in the lives of others by volunteering in Maroondah, visit www.maroondah.vic.gov.au/Volunteering.aspx