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Ben Darling
Holt
Hero Story
Since March 2020, Ben Darling has been nothing short of a HERO to the Tri-County Office on Aging’s clients and staff, and a steward of our mission to promote and preserve the independence and dignity of older adults. When the pandemic struck, TCOA was thankful to receive an influx of volunteers. Many served for a few months during the worst of the pandemic, but Ben has stayed on to this day. Not only has Ben served with kindness in his heart and has responded to our needs 100% of the time, but he has also expanded his volunteer role. Ben began by being an invaluable member of the “on call” volunteers who we could contact to pick up and deliver food and other special items to seniors who weren’t able to leave their homes or otherwise could not obtain groceries and personal care items during the Stay Home Stay Safe order. TCOA wanted to keep older adults safe at home, and it would not have been possible without the swift response of volunteers like Ben. Our other programs continued to operate in a modified way, and Ben quickly learned that he could also find time to serve as delivery driver for the Rural Ingham Meals on Wheels branch. Ben continues to be a flexible team player when we have urgent client needs, and he delivers meals on a regular basis to seniors in Holt, Michigan.
There may have been times when it was inconvenient for Ben to drop what he was doing and assist a senior at that moment, but we would never have known it. When we have a client who has a time sensitive need- toilet paper, groceries, prescriptions- we think of Ben, and he answers the call. When you find yourself in a situation where you don’t have soap to clean with or a microwave to heat a frozen meal and you don’t have family or friends to turn to for help, your safety and health are at great risk very quickly. These are seemingly simple problems, and yet a solution is not guaranteed for some of our community’s most vulnerable people. That’s where Ben comes in. It is rare to find someone who puts others above self consistently and with no complaint, but we have come to learn that that is simply Ben’s nature. He embodies empathy and understands the work it takes to make sure our older adult community is cared for. He shows them respect, understanding, and grace.
Ben was in TCOA’s Volunteer Spotlight in April 2021, and in his write-up, he said: "I started volunteering with the onset of COVID and after losing my wife to cancer. I have always wanted to give back to the community and truly found my niche with TCOA and Rural Ingham Meals on Wheels! I have always figured that when someone needs ‘help’, we need to step up and provide whatever we can, with care and respect. I enjoy the shopping trips and deliveries, the Meal deliveries, and just making that contact with OUR people!! I have developed friendships, learned a lot about others, and hopefully have spread a little sunshine and smiles. Keep On and Keep Smiling!!"
Sometimes it’s not about how long someone has volunteered or how many they have helped, though Ben has helped dozens. Sometimes it’s about the quality of care and the ability to step up in the right moment for those who need it most. Ben is a local hero to TCOA’s clients in Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties, and is surely a role model to all who know him.
Ben Darling
Holt
Hero Story
Since March 2020, Ben Darling has been nothing short of a HERO to the Tri-County Office on Aging’s clients and staff, and a steward of our mission to promote and preserve the independence and dignity of older adults. When the pandemic struck, TCOA was thankful to receive an influx of volunteers. Many served for a few months during the worst of the pandemic, but Ben has stayed on to this day. Not only has Ben served with kindness in his heart and has responded to our needs 100% of the time, but he has also expanded his volunteer role. Ben began by being an invaluable member of the “on call” volunteers who we could contact to pick up and deliver food and other special items to seniors who weren’t able to leave their homes or otherwise could not obtain groceries and personal care items during the Stay Home Stay Safe order. TCOA wanted to keep older adults safe at home, and it would not have been possible without the swift response of volunteers like Ben. Our other programs continued to operate in a modified way, and Ben quickly learned that he could also find time to serve as delivery driver for the Rural Ingham Meals on Wheels branch. Ben continues to be a flexible team player when we have urgent client needs, and he delivers meals on a regular basis to seniors in Holt, Michigan.
There may have been times when it was inconvenient for Ben to drop what he was doing and assist a senior at that moment, but we would never have known it. When we have a client who has a time sensitive need- toilet paper, groceries, prescriptions- we think of Ben, and he answers the call. When you find yourself in a situation where you don’t have soap to clean with or a microwave to heat a frozen meal and you don’t have family or friends to turn to for help, your safety and health are at great risk very quickly. These are seemingly simple problems, and yet a solution is not guaranteed for some of our community’s most vulnerable people. That’s where Ben comes in. It is rare to find someone who puts others above self consistently and with no complaint, but we have come to learn that that is simply Ben’s nature. He embodies empathy and understands the work it takes to make sure our older adult community is cared for. He shows them respect, understanding, and grace.
Ben was in TCOA’s Volunteer Spotlight in April 2021, and in his write-up, he said: "I started volunteering with the onset of COVID and after losing my wife to cancer. I have always wanted to give back to the community and truly found my niche with TCOA and Rural Ingham Meals on Wheels! I have always figured that when someone needs ‘help’, we need to step up and provide whatever we can, with care and respect. I enjoy the shopping trips and deliveries, the Meal deliveries, and just making that contact with OUR people!! I have developed friendships, learned a lot about others, and hopefully have spread a little sunshine and smiles. Keep On and Keep Smiling!!"
Sometimes it’s not about how long someone has volunteered or how many they have helped, though Ben has helped dozens. Sometimes it’s about the quality of care and the ability to step up in the right moment for those who need it most. Ben is a local hero to TCOA’s clients in Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties, and is surely a role model to all who know him.