Volunteering is often seen as a way to give back, but it can also create lasting friendships and bring deep personal fulfillment. This is certainly the case for Maggie, a vibrant resident of Baltimore City, and Dan McGrain, a longtime meal-delivery volunteer with Meals on Wheels. Their story highlights the many ways volunteering can enrich lives, not just for those who receive help but for the volunteers themselves.
Maggie, a “super-ager” with a sharp mind and active lifestyle, signed up for the Meals on Wheels program nearly a decade ago, encouraged by her daughter. “My daughter had originally signed up my son for Meals on Wheels,” Maggie explained. “After a couple of months, she came to me and said, ‘You should sign up too. You still cook, but maybe one day you won’t,’ and that resonated with me.” While Maggie still enjoys cooking occasionally, she has found the meal deliveries to be a great help as she grows older.
Dan McGrain, a longtime volunteer who also helps lead the Meals on Wheels Volunteer Advisory Council and serves as a board member, began delivering meals to Maggie about three years ago. From the very first visit, a warm and natural friendship blossomed. “Dan has been great because he is so friendly,” Maggie said. “From the moment he came into my home, it all seemed so natural. We would talk about my family and his family, and it was mutual sharing. Dan would talk and chat, and I would end up sharing so much,” she added with a laugh.
As they spent more time together, Dan became a part of Maggie’s extended family, hearing stories of her incredible life. A passionate genealogist, Maggie has compiled a detailed family history, complete with digitized photos, stories, and records dating back generations. “One of my great-great-grandparents, John, fought in the Revolutionary War,” Maggie shared. She’s spent years creating these books for her family, a project fueled by love and the desire to preserve her family’s legacy.
For Dan, volunteering has been as enriching as it has been for Maggie. “Maggie is a dream-come-true client,” Dan said. “She is fun to talk to and so friendly and welcoming. She just stands out, especially in the sociability department. It’s great to listen to her about her family and to know that the head of her family cares about the historical keeping of her family.”
This mutually beneficial relationship shows how volunteering can foster connection, purpose, and friendship. For Maggie, having someone like Dan to share her stories with brings joy and helps her feel connected to the world outside her home. For Dan, his visits with Maggie offer more than just delivering meals—they provide meaningful interactions and a chance to develop a deep, rewarding friendship.
Volunteering is not just about the service provided; it’s about the bonds formed along the way. Maggie and Dan’s story is a heartwarming reminder that through giving time, we can create lasting, positive impacts on others’ lives—and our own.
