Congratulations to our Rural program Volunteer of the Quarter – 4th quarter - Danielle Vierra! Danielle has been volunteering at MOWSV since March of 2023 - almost a year and a half. Not only does she deliver meals to clients, she helps us with client assessments, fundraising mailings and just about anything we throw at her – she’s up for the task! Danielle stated, “After a change in my time commitments, I wanted to reenter some sort of senior services work and found that Meals on Wheels was a way to be directly involved.”  Her favorite part of being a volunteer is certainly getting to know the clients which is such a value in this experience. Danielle also mentioned that “sharing the services that MOWSV offers, apart from meals, is a very gratifying way for anyone to be involved in their neighborhood.” And, for Danielle, relearning this community, after her 25 year absence from the area, in a broader sense has been fascinating to her. 

What led Danielle to volunteer with MOWSV? Danielle said “I am taking a break from my work in programming senior activities and travel which was my career path for about 18 years. I worked with independent seniors in a residential setting and later in a community center setting.”

Born and raised in Moss Landing, Danielle said that after high school she spent a couple of years abroad.  “After returning, I transferred to San Francisco State University to study Anthropology. Then I moved to Marin and Sonoma Counties until coming back to Moss Landing in 2021,” shared Danielle.

Not only does Danielle give her time and talent to MOWSV, she’s very active in her North Monterey County community. “I have had the privilege to join the Boards of the Friends of the Andy Ausonio Library in Castroville, The North Monterey County Community Council and the Alliance on Aging. Also, I am on the Alliance on Aging's Local Aging Disabilities Action Plan committee. I represent Moss Landing on the County of Monterey Environmental Justice Element (an arm of the County of Monterey's Housing and Human Development).

We are so grateful that Danielle has chosen to spend some of her time supporting MOWSV and our clients! Congratulations Danielle on being honored as Volunteer of the Quarter.