A dedicated volunteer with Port Lincoln Meals on Wheels for 50 years, Irma Jensen recently retired from volunteering with the service.
Mrs Jensen joined the branch a couple of years after it was formed and has continued to be a reliable and dedicated volunteer for half a century.
A special presentation was recently held in Adelaide, but Mrs Jensen was unable to attend, so a presentation gift was sent to Port Lincoln.
Mrs Jensen said she first started volunteering after a friend asked her to help out.
“A friend of mine was doing it and her partner couldn’t make it on a particular day and she asked me and I helped her and I haven’t stopped since,” she said.
“I was in my early thirties then, I am 82 now.”
Mrs Jensen said what she enjoyed most about volunteering with the branch was “meeting different people, helping people out with what they needed help with and doing something for the community”.
She said 50 years of volunteering was not originally the aim.
“I just enjoyed doing it and I sort of didn’t really stop,” Mrs Jensen said.
“But, old age has stopped me from doing it, otherwise I would still be volunteering.
“It’s just nice helping people when you’re able to and they can’t.”
Mrs Jensen had made many connections with those she had helped through the Meals on Wheels service.
“I have met a lot of people in that time, you get to know them and they would always be looking forward to seeing you too, and it’s always sad when someone you’ve helped passes away.”
Meals on Wheels said it wished Irma all the best in her retirement.
