By the time Maxine Prentice joined Meals on Wheels in the early 1980s, the service had already been part of the community for two decades. It had taken different shapes over the years—first as part of the Courtesy Association, which tried offering a range of services, and later as a program known primarily for its meal delivery.
The early 1980s were a defining period. Meals on Wheels became a registered charitable corporation, established its own Board of Directors, and moved into the Queen Alexandra Centre. These changes laid the foundation that would sustain the program for decades to come. Maxine was there at the start of this new chapter, lending her time and leadership as both a Board member and a volunteer driver.
For Maxine, volunteering was always about gratitude. She described her work as uplifting—finding joy in the smiles of clients at the door and feeling privileged to share her own blessings. She also had a gift for inspiring others. It was Maxine who encouraged her friend, Lynne Faught, to volunteer—sparking another 38 years of service that grew out of her example.
In 2024, Maxine retired from volunteering after 40 years of dedication, receiving a Volunteer Service Award to mark the milestone. Her impact, however, goes beyond the number of years. Like the theme of National Volunteer Week reminded us this year, “volunteers make waves.” Maxine’s steady presence created waves of kindness that spread through clients, fellow volunteers, and the Meals on Wheels program itself—waves that continue to ripple forward today.
Thank you, Maxine, for being part of the story from those formative years through to today, and for showing us the power of commitment sustained over a lifetime.
