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NILES — A group of local organizations teamed up to give a local veteran a hand last week. 

Wolverine Pipeline, United Way and Meals on Wheels of Southwest Michigan partnered Friday to clean up the yard of Niles veteran Bill during its annual Day of Caring. 

Each year, Wolverine Pipeline employees donate a day of work toward bettering the community.

Bill is a military veteran from Niles who is currently on oxygen 24/7 due to failing health. He was nominated by Meals on Wheels Resource Director Renee Reid-Smith after seeing how overgrown the man’s yard had become. Bill and his family expressed deep gratitude for the help. The effort is particularly meaningful because Bill has faced multiple family tragedies, including his wife’s death from cancer 30 years ago, his daughter’s death from cancer on May 1st, and his dog’s recent cancer diagnosis.

Wolverine Pipeline representatives Efrain Lazaro, Niles area supervisor, and David Brooks, Wolverine employee, said the Day of Caring is an event they look forward to each year.

“It means a lot to us,” Lazaro said. “We love getting back to the community, but if we have somebody that can use a hand… we all can use a hand every once in a while. We’re here for it, we enjoy this. You can see the camaraderie, the teamwork. The guys look forward to this every year.”

“Every year, employees for Wolverine Pipeline have the privilege to be sent out by the company to help make something better for someone who can’t do it themselves,” Brooks said. “They don’t have the health, manpower, or equipment to make improvements on their property. Wolverine sends us out here to do that for them at the company’s cost—no cost to the client. All of us employees are paid to be out here. It’s Wolverine Pipeline’s commitment to give back to the community and bring sunshine into someone’s life.”

Reid-Smith stressed the importance of the collaboration. She has been involved with the Day of Caring for over 15 years and noted that the partnership works well because Meals on Wheels identifies reliable candidates while Wolverine provides the resources. 

“You wouldn’t think Wolverine Pipeline and Meals on Wheels would ever come together,” she said. “But we are because there’s a need, and they’re willing to help. We provide a homemade meal, a wellness check, and some interpersonal communication. Some of our clients don’t get to see anybody but my drivers. This is a special day because they feel noticed. They feel like they’re not forgotten. Sometimes a lot of seniors who are shut in feel left behind in society. This is a really special day, and it’s just a wonderful, wonderful day.”