Howard Fisher, an 81-year-old resident of South Burlington, Vermont, was a pilot in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. These days, he spends his Tuesday mornings delivering Meals on Wheels to older adults in northwestern Vermont as a volunteer for Age Well. Age Well has over 800 volunteers who collectively deliver over 271,000 meals every year in the area. Despite his age, Fisher remains dedicated to helping the community and has been involved with food-related and social organizations for decades.
After moving to Vermont in 1977, Fisher spent 30 years as the program director at the New England Culinary Institute. Since retirement, he has volunteered with several local organizations, including the Vermont Foodbank’s Community Kitchen Academy, Vermont Works for Women, the American Red Cross, and Vermont Legal Aid. He has been delivering meals with Age Well for the past three years.
Vermont’s population is rapidly aging, with predictions that by 2030, one in three Vermonters will be over the age of 60. In a video shoot with Eva Sollberger, a senior multimedia producer for Seven Days, Fisher was filmed delivering meals to residents and engaging in friendly visits. Along the delivery route, they asked people what healthy aging meant to them.
The episode of Stuck in Vermont, which received support from New England Federal Credit Union, emphasized the importance of community support for the elderly in Vermont. The video also encouraged Vermonters over the age of 60 to call the state’s Senior HelpLine at 800-642-5119 for information and resources. The episode showcased Fisher’s dedication to serving the community and helping the elderly, as well as the growing need for assistance for Vermont’s aging population.
Source: https://www.sevendaysvt.com/arts-culture/stuck-in-vermont-howard-fisher-delivers-meals-on-wheels-39732379
