Meals on Wheels is a volunteer group that prepare and deliver meals to elderly and disabled people in Australia. It started in the 1950s and now delivers 14.8 million meals per year to help 53,000 people! The people who receive the meals also really enjoy the company of the volunteers and being able to have a chat because it may be the only visitor they have for the day. The reason Meals on Wheels are in the news is because they don't have enough volunteers and their future is in danger if they can't find more helpers.
I think that our society relies on the wonderful work of groups like Meals on Wheels, Vinnies, Red Cross, Salvos etc. The government should force all young people to volunteer at least once in their life. Especially when you are at high school or university, you can surely find a couple of hours a week to do something for someone else! Stop being selfish Australia, put down the XBox or Playstation and get out their and volunteer, there are people who need your help.
This website has more information on how to volunteer and has heaps of opportunities, big or small. Pass it onto your friends, family and anyone you know: http://www.govolunteer.com.au/
Watch the BtN Story here.
My grandma used to get Meals on Wheels and it made her life so much easier. I agree that we need more people volunteering but I don't think we should force them to. Maybe we could create TV ads that encourage volunteering and that way people are choosing to volunteer for the right reasons.
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