2023 Walter Notten Award for Superior Volunteer Service
It can be a difficult task to determine the volunteer who has made such a significant difference in the lives of others and has stood out the most amongst our 350+ AMAZING volunteers in one year. For 2023, it was hands down a wonderful couple who have been with us for 27 years. The Walter Notton Award for Superior Volunteer Service was awarded to Teri and Jim Ingham during our annual Volunteer Appreciation Lunch on May 15, 2024.
Teri and Jim have always been quite involved with this organization for many years. However, this past year was the year they drove extra miles, handed out extra smiles and continued their great work through beautifying yards and being the ultimate ambassadors! This dazzling duo began delivering meals on Route 4 every single Monday morning as well as take on an extra delivery day during the week when a substitute driver may be difficult to find.
Additionally, they love to share our mission with their neighbors and friends as well as through Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church. Through Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church, they love to engage in the Volunteer Fair (which I have done with them in the past and they are PERFECT in that role!). They are heavily involved in leading “Rakes on Wheels” through Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church. This duo and their team work very hard to clean the yards of those we feed in our community! Jim, Teri, and their team take approximately 2 hours per yard. How wonderful is that? It is an incredible feeling to know that the yards of many of our recipients, who need help the most, are cared for by loving hands and hearts!
Finally, it is uplifting to know how much they continue to stay in touch with past recipients because they enjoyed them so when they would deliver meals to them.
Jim and Teri, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your years of dedication to this organization. Knowing we get to see your smiling faces every single week makes us so very joyful. You are such good people!
-- Kelley Adams, East Cooper Meals on Wheels Volunteer Manager