Meals on Wheels Volunteer Spotlight
Shining a light on the people who make our work possible
Dedicated volunteers are fundamental to the culture of care and reciprocity at New Dawn Meals on Wheels. They are the heart of our organization. In 2025 alone, they delivered over 40,000 hot, nutritious meals to vulnerable people in our community.
This month we celebrate four volunteers who have a combined 30 years of volunteer service with New Dawn Meals on Wheels, delivering meals and offering friendly check-ins to seniors and others who struggle with nutrition and social isolation.
“I am honoured to work alongside so many dedicated volunteers at Meals on Wheels who integrate community service into their daily lives with grace. We simply COULD NOT operate Meals on Wheels without you,” said Sara Roth, New Dawn’s Manager of Volunteer Resources and Community Meals.
Penny Mackenzie
8 Years of Service with New Dawn Meals On Wheels
Penny is an avid volunteer, gardener, crafter and grandmother. She has been volunteering with NDMOW since the summer of 2017. For Penny, the most rewarding part of being a delivery volunteer is meeting and talking to the clients on-route.
“It energizes me…. Some clients don’t choose to interact and I respect their preference. It’s rewarding for me to interact even briefly with them and have them greet me. Some clients and I have ongoing conversations each week.”
“I think I benefit more than our clients. Every delivery reminds me that everyone needs services and help at certain points in life.”
Did you know? Penny has an adventurous spirit and hitch-hiked from BC to NS with a friend in 1969!
Aishwarya Mohan & Subin Raj
Dedicated Couple of Volunteers
Subin and Aishwarya have been volunteering together since 2020 as a way to contribute to the community.
Aishwarya notes, “The most rewarding part [of volunteering] is being a small part of the lives of the clients, ad hoc conversations… and to see some of the clients – with a smile – say, ‘Thank you, dear.'”
For this steadfast team, community service is a marathon, not a sprint. They fit volunteering into their busy work and home lives and take time off for travel and family visits.
Alyce MacLean
An Adopt-a-Route Icon
Alyce is Vice-President of Properties and Development at New Dawn Enterprises, but did you know she’s worked at three major Cape Breton landmarks in her career? Fuzzy’s Fries, Rita’s Tea Room and the Fortress of Louisbourg have had to say goodbye to Alyce, but one major landmark still claims her, New Dawn Meals on Wheels!
Alyce started volunteer delivery driving as part of a corporate Adopt-a-Route team more than 10 years ago and is now a key part of “John’s Route,” New Dawn’s volunteer team that honours John Whalley’s legacy of service.
Alyce has volunteered for many different organizations in various capacities, and says: “Delivering meals is the quickest way to make the most impact.”
