Jim & Honey
Jim Hicks delivers Meals on Wheels
When Jim Hicks stopped by the Dolphin Talk office, he has just finished his 83-mile round trip delivering Meals on Wheels. His route starts at Jack and Jill Road in Port Lavaca, goes down to Indianola, and then back through Seadrift. Currently he delivers to 18 clients, but today two of them were in the hospital. Jim’s met lots of interesting folks as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels. One elderly gentleman, since passed away, told him he had landed on Normandy Beach on D Day. One of his favorites, he says, was the late Goldie Sanders of Seadrift. The thing that disturbs him is that there isn’t much time to visit on his route and for many, “I might be the only person they talk to that day.”
About five years ago, Jim saw an article in Dolphin Talk about the need for volunteers for Meals on Wheels. He remembered that his mother had been served by the program in Houston and that the delivery person had been there when his mother collapsed. He wanted to give something back, and this seemed the perfect opportunity.
Prior to moving to Port O’Connor eleven years ago, Jim resided in Grand Prairie and kept a boat here. Tired of traveling back and forth to fish, he decided to “join the boat”, bought a motorhome, and moved to an RV park. He had spent 22 ½ years in the Air Force, retiring in 1984 with the rank of Major, and then twenty years as a program manager for a major building association. Both positions required him to travel all over the world. Now that he’s settled in Port O’Connor, his traveling days, (except for an occasional trip to see family and friends) he says are over.
Other than his weekly meal delivery, Jim doesn’t get out and about too much. He does enjoy get-togethers at the RV park, where he’s made friends with a lot of “winter Texans”. He gets his exercise taking his little dog “Honey” for walks four times a day. He got Honey four years ago from the Humane Society and can’t imagine life without her. With Honey being about seven years old and Jim 71, he thinks he and Honey “will go out about the same time”.
Honey is an interesting looking little dog, (You may have seen her at the Post Office or Speedy Stop in a milk crate on the back of Jim’s scooter.) Jim had her DNA tested, just out of curiosity. The test showed her to be a mix of seven different breeds, including Mastiff, but mostly Parsons Terrier.
Speaking of Meals on Wheels Jim said, “I get so much more from my ‘clients’ than I’ll ever give to them.” Referring to his good health, his life in Port O’Connor, and his little Honey, Jim says, “I’m the luckiest person you’ll ever meet. There’s no reason I should be where I am today except for the grace of God.”
Meals on Wheels through Calhoun County Senior Citizens Association, Inc. (CCSCA), serves approximately 1,600 meals a month. Meals are delivered to seniors age 60 and above Monday through Friday by volunteers.
“Volunteers are very important to our organization,” said Monica Pelech, Executive Director CCSCA. “Without them, we would not have a way to deliver meals.”
To inquire about receiving Meals on Wheels or if you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please call 361-552-3350, and they will gladly explain the program to you.
