More than 100 senior meal volunteers were honored April 9, at a luncheon at the Wapato Community Center for their service to senior citizens across Yakima County.

 “In 2007, our volunteers put in over 10,600 hours to help serve 49,733 meals for our senior dining rooms and another 48,773 home-delivered meals to a total of 2,026 senior citizens,” Jerry Baldoz, Director of Senior Food Services for Yakima County and Meals-On-Wheels said.

The volunteers were treated to a luncheon of roast prime rib of beef, baked potato, green beans and mushrooms and pie a la mode.

 “Without their help, it would cost an additional $150,000 to operate the Meals-On-Wheels program,” he said. “The program was created as one of the most important services for senior citizens.”

The program was initially designed for those no longer able to prepare their own meals. After many studies, what they found is that good nutrition for senior citizens has nothing to do with income, Baldoz said.

Baldoz said senior citizens come to get a good meal.

“But 98 percent of everyone who was surveyed said it was to socialize and to meet new friends,” he said.

“Our volunteers are a very special part of our program,” he added. “If you need transportation to and from the meal sites, these are the people who provide the transportation. Without them, you couldn’t get to our meal sites.”

Baldoz also praised program supporters like Sea Galley Restaurants.

“They have never turned us down,” he said. “When I have asked for gift certificates for senior citizens, they will ask, ‘How many gift certificates do you want?’

“Sea Galley is always there for us,” he said, “and I would like to thank Steve Hart of Sea Galley Restaurants.”

Baldoz also publicly thanked Yakima County Commissioner Ron Gamache.

“Another person who has been helpful is our county commissioner,” he said.

Gamache attended the luncheon.

“This is one of those programs that is so important,” he said.

Without it, he said, many senior citizens would not receive nutritious meals.

“It’s the volunteers; it’s the partnerships; those are all so important for this program,” he said.

After a special presentation to Sea Galley Restaurants, Baldoz prepared to present plaques to the “Volunteer of the Year” at each meal site.

“The volunteers at each meal site nominated the person that they felt was the best volunteer of the year,” Baldoz said. “That person was always there.

That person did whatever was necessary to make sure that our site managers were able to provide meals, and that everyone is happy; that everything is neat and clean; and they often helped clean up afterwards.”

Evelyn Paquin received the Volunteer of the Year award for the Selah senior meal center.