We Deliver Smiles

Ray Hale

“Salt of the earth.” It’s an idiomatic phrase referring to an individual considered to be the best or noblest part of society. That ideal comes to life in the person of Ray Hale.

Hale began volunteering for Meals on Wheels in 1989. And even though he moved miles away from his route -- to Marquette Manor, one of MOW’s food providers -- he continues to deliver to clients in and around the Broad Ripple area, picking up the meals at American Village.

“I do it because I enjoy it,” he said. “I love the people I deliver to.”

Born in Cincinnati, Hale served in the 6th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army during World War II. He was taking desert warfare training in Yuma, Arizona when the conflict shifted from the European Theatre to the Pacific Theatre, and consequently found himself training in jungle warfare in California and Hawaii.

Hale attained the rank of Master Sergeant and was the Division Sergeant Major. He saw combat in New Guinea and Luzon, and was in the Philippines when the war ended.

He married Jenny in 1946, and the couple had two children, Doug Hale and Pam (Hale) Winkler.

Stateside he went to work for Jones & Laughlin Steel Corporation in 1939, where he would spend the next 33 years, going from traveling salesman to the Louisville plant’s general manager. He was subsequently promoted to a general manager position for a much larger plant in Indianapolis. He retired in 1972 and went to work as a manufacturer’s sales representative for his brother-in-law for several years before taking over the business.

Hale lost Jenny to Alzheimer’s disease in 2005. She had been a part of her husband’s meal delivery activities until her health failed around 2001, and even then they continued for a while to deliver meals together.

What stories Hale has after 17 years with MOW! Zanis Dumpis, he recalls, told him once, “You come in here for a minute.” Hale was astonished to see Dumpis return with his violin and begin to play.

Once he was delivering a meal to a woman who commanded, “Come in here!” He complied. She ordered him to sit down. He did. “I just need somebody to talk to,” she said. “My husband’s gone, I don’t see my neighbors anymore.” After that, Hale made her house the last stop on his route each week, spending 30 minutes or more chatting.

“I’ve never delivered to someone who wasn’t nice and receptive. They’re so grateful and thankful,” Hale said. “The thing is, it doesn’t take long. It’s not that difficult. You just pick up the food and take it to the house.”

A noble act, for sure, profound in its simplicity.

For further details, please contact us at 317.633.6325, or by e-mail at info@mealsonwheelsindy.org.

Archives
Diamond Chain Company
Charles Poindexter
National Wine & Spirits
Liz Browning
Roche Diagnostics
Servants of Christ Lutheran Church
Safeco Insurance Company
Howard & Mary McKinley
Robert Palmer
Marilyn Carroll
Regions Bank
Ray Hale
Don & Shirley Wendling
Jane & Joan King