Regular Store to Door volunteer shoppers always recognize client Dolores Williams’ order at Beaverton Fred Meyer—there is no mistaking the stack of greeting cards in the top of the basket. Dolores’ cards carry birthday wishes, holiday wishes, get well messages, or even simply notes to friends and acquaintances. Dolores feels strongly about written communication, and enjoys how the greeting cards help her stay connected with distant family and friends.  She says, “I’ve done it for so long, not as much now as I used to, but people enjoy that, they like getting letters and notes and somebody taking time to care.”

On Tuesday mornings, Dolores’ long-time volunteer Order Taker Rhian calls for her grocery order. Rhian has been Dolores’ Order Taker for nearly 5 years, and knows many of Dolores regular grocery list items by heart. Dolores shared, “Rhian entertains me- she sends pictures when she goes away, and she’ll send a card of some city she’s been in with her husband, and the pictures are wonderful, and they are all things that she’s done. I did a lot through my life, and I told her I have to enjoy it through other people’s lives.” Last year when Dolores was ill, Rhian stopped by her home to check up on her, with crackers and ginger ale.

Dolores also has a similar strong connection with her regular grocery Delivery Drivers. On Wednesdays when her groceries are delivered, Dolores makes a point to clear her schedule to visit with volunteers Phyllis and Melissa. Dolores proudly shares, “I cancel everything around noon on Wednesdays. They are just wonderful, they’ve got a good attitude and we kind of joke around a little bit!”

Thanks to a strong community of volunteers like Rhian, Phyllis, and Melissa, Store to Door provides connection between homebound elders like Dolores to the world outside their homes while supporting healthy and positive aging in place. Dolores shares about her volunteers, “I trust them and I know anything they do, they are gonna do from their heart, they really want to help. I think how fortunate it is to have a service like that, when you don’t drive, don’t get out all the time. It’s less concern for my family.”