HOT MEALS, COLD DAYS

By Paul Gaudette on Wednesday, March 2, 2022
  • HOT MEALS, COLD DAYS
    HOT MEALS, COLD DAYS
  • Dublin Police and EMS braved the icy roads to deliver Meal on Wheels to Dublin clients when the need arose on Feb. 23. Freezing temperatures and light rainfall had left patches of barely perceptible ice on local roads on Feb. 23 and Thursday around Dublin and Erath. The ice proved more visible in icicles on roof lines (top) and in freezing water at the water fountain in the downtown Corner Lot. | submitted and Citizen staff photos
    Dublin Police and EMS braved the icy roads to deliver Meal on Wheels to Dublin clients when the need arose on Feb. 23. Freezing temperatures and light rainfall had left patches of barely perceptible ice on local roads on Feb. 23 and Thursday around Dublin and Erath. The ice proved more visible in icicles on roof lines (top) and in freezing water at the water fountain in the downtown Corner Lot. | submitted and Citizen staff photos

    Responders step up to ‘serve’

    Dangerous road conditions provided an opportunity for some of Dublin’s finest to help out hungry neighbors as Police and EMS staff assisted Meals on Wheels with deliveries on Feb. 23.

    Weather forecasts predicted freezing rain as temperatures fell as low as 18 and 19 on Feb. 23 and Thursday. Although precipitation was lighter than expected, light rainfall and mist coated roadways in the immediate area with light (and often barely visible) ice.

    Erath County Sheriff’s Office received seven calls on Feb. 23 and six calls on Thursday related to vehicles sliding off the roadway and turning over or going through fences. (See the Sheriff’s Report on Page A7 for the call log.)

    Dublin Police Chief Cameron Ray reported the department responded to a couple of nearby accidents with an early morning rollover on the Dublin Loop as well as a couple of minor accidents in town.

    Local schools sent students home early on Feb. 23 as temperatures fell faster than expected and cancelled classes for Thursday following the freeze.

    As local businesses and organizations announced they were closing, Chief Ray was contacted by Meals on Wheels of Erath County (MOWEC) Executive Director Elizabeth Johnson that she was in need of Dublin drivers to deliver meals.

    Ray reported that they had helped a couple of times last year so officers and EMS staff working agreed to help out.

    The drivers that had children even got their kids to help in the community work.

    “I think they were just excited they didn’t have to go home and sit in the house,” said Ray, who added the kids seemed to enjoy being able to help.

    “I think it made everyone feel good,” said Ray. “It took an hour out of our day and we got to see people that don’t see people every day and visit with them.”

    Ray said the experience was so rewarding they were considering doing it again and recommended that anyone with an hour or so to spare should do the same since it is a short time investment that makes the difference in neighbors getting their needed nutrition.

    Ray also thanked Dublin City Council member Darrell Curry who helped in delivering to places where a 4x4 vehicle was needed to navigate the ice.

    MOWEC reported they are in need of Dublin drivers on Mondays and Thursdays and fill-in drivers are always appreciated. They are also seeking volunteers for the friendly visitors program which pairs volunteers with a senior citizen to visit in-person at least twice per month and the touching bases program in which volunteers call a client once a week to make sure their needs are being met and to help with feelings of isolation. For more info, Meals on Wheels of Erath County can be reached at https://www.erathmow.org/ or 254-965-3510.