From day one when they arrived on her doorstep to deliver meals, Carrie Mae knew that Rob & Lori were special people. They come faithfully every Friday, and their four-legged delivery assistant, Bella, leads the way to the front door. Carrie Mae always has dog treats ready, as she looks forward to a good snuggle with her furry friend and a nice visit with Rob & Lori, too.
Carrie Mae’s husband passed away in 2004, so she lives alone on their land. She stays connected with his sister, but doesn’t really have a relationship with any of her neighbors. That’s why having friends like Rob & Lori is so meaningful.
“They just do so much for me. They go over beyond what they’re supposed to do. They don’t have to do it, but they do,” she says.
The friendship that has formed since Rob & Lori started delivering meals to Carrie Mae in 2016 truly is remarkable. They spend holidays together, celebrate birthdays together, and often go out to lunch together. They’ve also helped with small repairs to Carrie Mae’s aging home. Recently, Lori stopped by with a selection of three comforters so Carrie Mae could pick her favorite as they worked together to redecorate her bedroom. Even the simple things—bringing her mail, changing a lightbulb, and picking up prescriptions—mean more than words can express.
For Carrie Mae, Rob & Lori deliver so much more than a meal. Their visits are filled with smiles and laughter as they share stories with one another. And Carrie Mae may love her cats, but she has a special place in her heart for sweet Bella.
When asked why their friendship is so special, she says, “I don’t think there’s no answer to that—I just love ‘em to death and they love me! Ain’t really no words as [to] why—it’s just there.”
East Cooper Meals on Wheels serves almost 300 recipients daily, who currently range in age from 35-98. Now through December 31, 2019, donations of $100 or more will be matched by several local partners, including:
- Carroll Limited Partnership up to $1,000 of Isle of Palms donations
- Feed The Need up to $10,000 of Mt. Pleasant donations
- Daniel Island Community Fund up to $5,000 of Daniel Island donations
- Edward and Sallie Pritchard up to $2,000 of Sullivan’s Island donations
During the holiday season, the organization works especially hard to ensure that no homebound neighbor is forgotten or hungry. East Cooper Meals on Wheels serves anyone who is homebound and cannot prepare a meal, including people of any age and any income level. Because the organization is 100% funded through community support, contributions ensure that the organization can continue its mission of delivering more than a meal to residents of Daniel Island, Mt. Pleasant, Sullivan’s Island, Isle of Palms, Cainhoy, and Wando. There is never a waiting list and never a charge for meals. Anyone can refer a friend, family member, neighbor, or themselves to begin receiving meals—call 843.881.9350, email rhamilton@ecmow.org, or visit www.ecmow.org.