On behalf of the Board of Directors of MCH, Inc (formerly Methodist Conference Home) and all of the beneficiaries of the Meals on Wheels program here in Knox County I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Bettina Doulton of CellarDoor Winery and Lani Stiles of Megunticook Market for inviting us to participate in this year's Pop the Cause benefit event. It was an honor to be included along with such valued not-for-profit partners as United Mid Coast Charities, Mid Coast Hospitality House and Coastal Opportunities.

It was also inspiring to be part of an event that did such an outstanding job of promoting the idea of volunteering and giving those that have never tried volunteering an opportunity to have this rewarding experience. The idea of Pop For Change was and is a completely novel and innovative way to get people active in giving to our community. With the help of CellarDoor Winery's Devon Salisbury, our Meals on Wheels program signed up nearly 100 volunteers this winter and spring through the Pop For Change program, and many are continuing to help Meals on Wheels.

Our thanks go out to all of these volunteers who helped deliver Meals on Wheels. Volunteers are an essential part of Meals on Wheels, we could not operate the program without them. Volunteer drivers are on the road five days a week, delivering meals, but also bringing relief from the isolation that many of our homebound participants experience. Our volunteers are a connection to the outside world.

We are also tremendously grateful for the enthusiastic support from people in the community who voted for Meals on Wheels to win the top award of $100,000. Thank you to all the Rockland businesses that hung the plates sharing Meals on Wheels recipients' stories of how the program helps them.

The Board of Directors of MCH has voted to set aside $80,000 of the $100,000 award to put toward much-needed upgrades to the kitchen at the Methodist Conference Home on Summer Street in Rockland, where the meals are prepared by Lois Stackpole Alley and her dedicated staff.

As Maine's population continues to grow older, demand for Meals on Wheels in Knox County will only continue to increase. Over the past three years the need for this program has increased by more than 25%. This wonderful gift from Pop the Cause will help MCH gear up to meet the growing need for this vital program.

Thank you once again to Bettina and Lani, the volunteers and voters, and all who made this gift possible!

Lee Karker is executive director of MCH, Inc.