Westlake resident brightens birthdays for Meals on Wheels recipients

Westlake resident Kendall Adams with one of the Birthday Bags she and her family have been making for Westlake Meals on Wheels recipients. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought changes for everyone, including organizations that serve the most vulnerable in our community. Westlake Meals on Wheels has received numerous inquiries from residents to volunteer with the non-profit meal delivery program.

One of those residents is Kendall Adams, her mom, Emily, and younger sister, Morgan. Kendall is 4 years old and started making potholders to earn spending money. Her project was so successful that her mother suggested donating some of her profits to a local charity.

The family had begun delivering meals, and Kendall immediately said, “How about the place where we go help take meals to people in their houses?” Her mother, Emily, was thrilled Kendall thought of Meals on Wheels, and saw it as a perfect fit.

"Giving back is very important to our family and I'm always searching for opportunities for us to volunteer together, said Emily. "Delivering meals for Meals on Wheels Westlake was perfect and I jumped on it. It's something that we can do regularly together, doesn't take much time at all and it teaches the girls the importance of helping others and making the world a better place.”

The idea then blossomed into a Birthday Bag project. Kendall and her family assemble a bag of goodies for each Meals on Wheels recipient for their special day. It includes one of Kendall’s homemade potholders, puzzle book, a deck of playing cards, crossword puzzles, word searches, mechanical pencils, travel size shampoo, conditioner and soap and a handcrafted paper flower.

“Kendall’s thoughtfulness is overwhelming and so inspiring,” said Marie Patten-Blatter, Executive Director of Westlake Meals on Wheels. “Many of our recipients are truly homebound and very isolated at the moment. Receiving these special bags made by Kendall is a beautiful gesture!”

Westlake Meals on Wheels has remained fully operational during the pandemic with tremendous community support. The Birthday Bags Kendall and her family are putting together is just one more example of how community residents have offered their time and talent to help other community members. If you would like to donate to Kendall’s Birthday Bags, you may donate directly at: kendall-s-korner4.cheddarup.com. For information on Meals on Wheels, call 440-871-2551 or visit westlakemealsonwheels.org.  

Brooke ODonnell

Brooke O'Donnell

Marketing and Community Outreach for Meals on Wheels Westlake

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Volume 12, Issue 17, Posted 9:35 AM, 09.01.2020