By Mark Ambrogi
Claire Campbell and Pat Wolfert, neighbors at The Barrington of Carmel, became fast friends when they met two years ago.
“One day she asked me if I’d be interested in Meals on Wheels,” Wolfert said. “I said sure, because we have fun together.”
Campbell, 81, has been volunteering for Meals for Wheels on the north side of Indianapolis for more than 25 years.
“Once you do it, you love it,” Campbell said. “It’s a really rewarding thing to do. You count your blessings when you see even the best of them who are in lovely homes, but there is something terribly wrong with their health. It makes you appreciate just having aching joints.”
Wolfert, 78, who has been volunteering for the past year, loves doing it as well.
“My heart goes out to them,” Wolfert said. “I love seeing them. I wanted to give some things to them on special occasions but (officials) said, ‘No, you are not allowed to do that,” so I just give them hugs. Everybody needs hugs. Most are elderly, one lady is blind. They just need some extra help.”
Campbell said by volunteering she hopes to show that you’re never too old to help others.
While Campbell moved from Indianapolis’ north side to Barrington two years ago, Wolfert has lived in Carmel since 1975.
“All our kids have gone through Carmel schools, and now our grandkids are going through Carmel schools,” said Wolfert, who has four children and 12 grandchildren.
Campbell and Wolfert usually make their rounds together, delivering meals in Indianapolis.
They pick up the meals at Marquette Manor in Indianapolis and take about two hours to deliver to about 12 residences.
