Sharon Blomgren is honored at a special dinner hosted by the Glenwood Rotary Club. The dinner was to thank Blomgren for her dedication to the Meals on Wheels program as well as thank all the volunteer drivers who deliver those meals. From left are Jerry Blomgren, Sharon Blomgren, Drew Blomgren and Glenwood Rotary President David Sheppard.

Glenwood Rotary Club recently sponsored a dinner and program to honor those who make the “Meals on Wheels” program work in the Glenwood area.

The program, held in May at the Minnewaska House Brewing Co. + Grill, was really two-fold, according to David Sheppard, current president of Glenwood Rotary.  “One, we wanted to thank all the volunteer drivers and spouses for stepping up to serve the community through the program,” he said.  “Without their help, there wouldn’t be a Meals on Wheels program here.”  

Secondly, the club really wanted to officially recognize and thank Sharon Blomgren, the local director, cook and organizer of the Meals on Wheels program.  She’s the unsung hero of the entire operation, according to Sheppard.  “She’s there every day–rain, snow, sleet or cold– cooking the meals.  Many days she does it alone and she seeks no glory or even a thank you,” Sheppard said.  “She just goes about her work because that’s where her heart is.”

Glenwood Rotary presented Blomgren with a plaque for her nearly 10 years of work making the Meals on Wheels happen.  The program provides about 25 area residents with a hot, noon lunch each day.  

“If you know Sharon, you’ll never know anyone with a kinder heart…she would never seek praise or recognition,” Sheppard said.  “She really epitomizes a selfless attitude and she’s all about service.”

There were about 40 volunteer drivers/spouses and Rotarians at the program for Blomgren, who was given a heartfelt round of applause when she was recognized for her service.  The plaque, presented by the Rotary Club, was to recognize her for her passion in serving others.

In addition to the plaque, the Rotary Club also provided her with a gift certificate and bouquet of flowers.

Glenwood Rotary has been involved in organizing the volunteer drivers who deliver the meals each day to those who sign up for a hot lunch.  While some of the drivers are Rotarians, many are community members who want to serve the program.

“We are still looking for volunteer drivers,” Sheppard said.  He said he could use volunteers who want to substitute often or even just occasionally.  

American Solutions for Business provides a number of drivers, and they will continue during the summer, Sheppard explained. “But we could even use drivers who can deliver meals just once per month,” he added.

To volunteer to drive often or just a few times, email David Sheppard at thesheppardgroup@gmail.com.