Helen H. Barnes – 2002 Community Winner
Lehigh Valley Health Network, Allentown, PA

Over three decades ago, when asked if she would consider getting involved in a task force to look at the problem of malnutrition in the elderly, Helen jumped in and has never looked back.   

Helen tackled the challenges of creating a program where none existed and she was a founding member of Meals for Wheels of Lehigh County, which opened its doors in 1971.  She worked long and hard as a volunteer to get the program started and over the years has served in numerous capacities including the first volunteer coordinator board president and secretary.  

Her cooking skills are legendary.  She is known for feeding shift workers from Meals on Wheels with homemade soups, sandwiches and desserts.  She even started a tradition of baking for the Monday volunteers rising at 5 am to make breads, cookies and cakes bringing them in still warm from the oven. 

As if working in the Lehigh Valley wasn't enough, Helen was there at the founding of the Meals on Wheel Association of America.  This association, started by a small group of elderly nutrition providers who understood that learning form each other would enrich all programs, has grown to be the oldest and largest Meals on Wheels organization in the world.  

Helen is a woman of dignity, humility and determination. When she sees a void, she fills it, when she sees a weakness, she is strong, and when she sees a need she fulfills it.  This forever-young woman, who at the age of 88, is still driving her route and delivering Meals on Wheels twice a week, every week!