During National Volunteer Week, April 19-25, Meals-on-Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties is proud to honor the organization's dedicated community of volunteers who tackle the task of delivering meals to 750 clients each day, five days a week. This is but one of the countless stories behind those that make Meals-on-Wheels a continuing success. This year’s theme, "Celebrating People in Action," appropriately applies to those determined individuals like Johnnie Robinson of Cleburne and Cody Crow of Joshua.

Joshua High School sophomore Cody Crow is not your typical teenager. Oh sure, he enjoys a cheese-laden slice of pepperoni pizza like the next American adolescent. And he’s athletically inclined like most teenage boys his age.

But Crow is sage beyond his 15 years, thanks in part to a grandmother who has instilled a sense of civic duty in the boy and an unwavering faith in God and country. The matriarch and her protégé are incredibly close and share affection for fishing and a passion for their community – specifically the area’s elderly and disabled. Whenever possible, Crow joins his grandmother, Johnnie Robinson of Cleburne, during her weekly route for Meals-on-Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties.  

During spring break, Crow served as Robinson's wingman on her route. Robinson said her grandson experienced his inaugural run four years ago. "They're never too young to learn community service," Robinson said. "If someone doesn’t show them, they don’t know the need is out there."
Crow comes by his passion honestly as his grandmother’s enthusiasm is contagious. Robinson has been delivering meals in Johnson County since October 1993. Crow said he shared his initial experiences with his friends. "Back when I first started I talked about it," Crow said. "I told my teachers and I don’t know if it had a great effect, but I know that one of my teachers (did a route for Meals-on-Wheels)."

"It's an absolute joy," Robinson said, adding that the clients along her route enrich her own life on a multitude of levels. "As I get older I realize what history they have."
 
Meals-on-Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties delivers noontime meals Monday through Friday in most of the communities served.  Meals-on-Wheels is a dual-county program covering more than 1,700 square miles. The meals are delivered by caring volunteers with convenient "pick-up points."  For more information about Meals-on-Wheels services, please contact Meals-on-Wheels at 817-558-2840 or www.servingthechildrenofyesterday.org.