Greg Romer and Robert Shockley Receive Top Honors at Redlands Meals on Wheels Luncheon

REDLANDS — Greg Romer and Robert Shockley received the Redlands Meals on Wheels Gertrude Hagum top service award at the organization’s recent annual volunteer appreciation luncheon.

Courtesy photo

Greg Romer

The event was held in Dike Chapel at the First United Methodist Church. The award is named for the founder of Redlands Meals on Wheels, which was established 56 years ago.

Romer joined the local organization in 2025 after working with Meals on Wheels programs in Orange County. He serves as a regular delivery driver, coordinates as a chairman one day per month, and substitutes in both roles when needed. He joined the board of directors shortly after volunteering and was recently elected vice president. Romer also handles training logistics and designs promotional posters for prospective clients.

Courtesy photo

Robert Shockley

Shockley began volunteering in 2014. He assists daily with preparing delivery bags and coordinates with the food delivery truck from Plymouth Village to transport meals to the setup area. He also handles a regular weekly delivery route and substitutes for daily chairmen.

John Lackner, Don Lewis, Dexter Cole, Sarah Cole, Marilee Rendulich, Perry Scott and Jamie Portney received the 2026 Golden Penguin Awards for exceptional service over the past year.

Anetta Theo, director of food services for Plymouth Village, received a Special Recognition Plaque. Redlands Meals on Wheels contracts with the retirement community to supply its standard meals, while an additional route for special dietary needs is prepared at Redlands Community Hospital.

First-year volunteer certificates were awarded to Donna Barnhart, Carol Whitmer, Karen Randolph, Sharon Frazer, Steve Frazer and Natacha Frache.

During the annual meeting, Dexter Cole was reelected president of the organization. Joining Cole and Romer on the executive board are John Biddick, treasurer; Dale Whitehurst, recording secretary; Karen Flippin, corresponding secretary; and Mary Hylkema, financial secretary.

Other board members include Sarah Van Tassel, John Egan, Les Kong, Kathy Warren, Nancy Holland and Bill Houlette. Cindy Perkins serves as an ex-officio member overseeing the regular diet program.

Weekday kitchen operations are managed by Jan Rodgers, Bev Woolverton, Nancy Holland, Kathy Warren, Jill Buroker, Karen Flippin, Greg Romer, Gwen Young and John Lackner.

President Cole noted that while clients generally pay for the cost of their meals, those fees do not cover operational overhead such as insurance, phone utilities, supplies and postage. He credited the Knights of the Round Table, both locally and nationally, as the organization’s top financial supporters.

Additionally, Emmaus Church on Cajon Street, formerly known as Bethany Church, has prepared and delivered traditional Thanksgiving meals to clients annually since 1988. First United Methodist Church has hosted the daily delivery pickup location since the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent renovations at the Joslyn Senior Center.

Redlands Meals on Wheels is currently accepting new senior clients within Redlands and Mentone. The service accommodates individuals recovering from hospital stays, managing lengthy illnesses or long-term disabilities, or requiring daily nutritional support. The intake process requires a brief phone screening to verify residency before deliveries begin.

The organization is also seeking volunteers to maintain its four weekday standard routes and its six-day hospital special-diet route. Each route requires a driver and a navigator to deliver meals to approximately 10 to 12 clients.

Deliveries typically take 60 to 90 minutes and include a wellness check on each recipient. Training is provided, and volunteers can choose specific days or opt for an alternating-week schedule.

To volunteer, call coordinator Karen Flippin at 909-793-9497. To request meal services, call the kitchen at 909-792-0716.

Redlands Meals on Wheels was incorporated in 1970.