Five Hills royalty spend national holiday feeding elderly

Special to Leader-Press 

When 95-year old Maria Everette saw she had visitors at her home, a smile spread across her face to see that she was being visited by beauty queens. Although she was receiving both her lunch and dinner for the day, the visit is about much more than just food. 

The Copperas Cove Five Hills royalty spent the national holiday on Monday delivering meals through the Meals on Wheels program to nearly three dozen senior citizens. But, they also took the time to visit with each of the seniors to dissipate some of the loneliness and isolation they might be feeling. The seniors especially enjoyed visiting with Baby Mister Five Hills J. T. Trinidad.

Five Hills Ambassador Briana Liles often visits the elderly in nursing homes, but this was her first time to volunteer with Meals on Wheels.

“It was nice to visit with the elderly and give them a hot meal that they may not otherwise have access to,” Liles said. “Some of them aren’t feeling their best, so it felt good to try and brighten their day even if just a little.”

Young Miss Five Hills Angelica Torres thought it was a great way to spend the day out of school. 

“It was very rewarding knowing that I could help out and make sure people receive their meals and also interact with the elderly and see their faces light up with joy when they saw I had come for a visit and to bring their food,” Torres said. 

With each visit, Junior Miss Five Hills Hayley Sawyer reached into the warmer to pull out a tray of hot food.

“As I got to the front doors with hot meals in my hands, the wonderful people waiting on the other side were so excited to see us and I couldn’t be more happy to be one of those to help make their day,” Sawyer said. “Meals on Wheels helps so many who can’t get out to get their own food and they really need us to be there for them.” 

Junior Mister Five Hills Jackson Gibbs and Five Hills Jr. Ambassador Naomi Williams thought it was a lot of fun going from house to house.

“I liked bringing food to the grandmas and grandpas,” Gibbs said. “It was nice getting to hang out with them and help (the elderly) open their food.”

“Delivering the meals was fun and I would like to do it again,” Williams said. “One lady had a big cat that was super nice.”

As Everette remarked to the titleholders how beautiful their crowns were, Sr. Ms. Five Hills Donna Higgins began removing her tiara and offered to crown Everette the queen for the day.  As the tiara was placed on Everette’s head, she smiled from ear to ear agreeing that it was a day she would not soon forget.

“I went out to bless seniors and ended up being blessed myself by smiles and hugs from recipients.” Higgins said. “You never know where your blessings are going to come from.”

To volunteer with Meals on Wheels, contact (254) 547-6022.