MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Tri-County Office on Aging, celebrating its 1,600 volunteers.

"We still see our mission as helping people remain as independent as possible by providing supports to them," said Marion Owen, the Executive Director of the Tri-County Office on Aging.

One of it's main programs, with about 800 volunteers, has been Meals on Wheels. This service delivers nutritious meals to people over 60, that have trouble cooking for themselves. Adreah Saxton has been volunteering for Meals on Wheels for nine years, and makes deliveries twice a week in Lansing.

"It checks up on the elderly and people that aren't really capable of getting out and sometimes forget to turn their burners off, so they're afraid to prepare meals for themselves. It's just checking up on your neighbors," said Adreah Saxton, a Meals on Wheels volunteer.

"It helps me out, because I don't do no cooking at the house, my brother does the cooking. I'm really afraid of cooking because I'm afraid I might leave the burner on. I just don't do no cooking and this helps me with my lunches," said Kenneth Nelson, recipient of the meals.

Meals on Wheels is largely dependent on its volunteers, and is always looking for new ones.

"Even an hour a month, the impact that it can make, not only to the seniors, but for yourself, I know it from my own experience, when I've had the opportunity to hand someone a meal, the gratitude that I get is worth more than the money I spent on the gas and the time that Iv'e taken," said Carl Buonodono, the Nutrition Director of the Tri-County Office on Aging.