Charlie Duffy &
Henry Herwig
They make the holidays special for the less fortunate
Nobody has to remind Charlie Duffy or Henry Herwig about the importance of giving during the holiday season because they remind us each year.
Duffy and Herwig are volunteers for the Elder Services Senior Nutrition Program, which delivers hot meals to the elderly on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Herwig does the driving and uses his own four-wheel drive sport utility vehicle to deliver the meals, while Duffy serves as the tour guide, historian and joke teller. Duffy knows the Iowa City area well after serving as Johnson County Supervisor in the 1980s and 1990s.
“We enjoy each other’s company and that’s the big thing,” Herwig said. “We drive around and Charlie remembers when he was with the county, and he’s been involved with it for so long, he fills in the blanks about what used to be here and all those things.
“He knows a lot of the people that have retired and always has a kind word to say to them. It’s not just dropping off a meal. Charlie’s a (public relations) person.”
Duffy said his biggest joy is watching the people react when he and Herwig arrive with the meals. Most of the people they deliver to are alone and can’t cook for themselves.
“You’d be surprised what people are like to see us,” Duffy said. “I remember one time, it was Christmas time, I pulled right up and this woman just couldn’t believe it. She said, ‘I didn’t think I’d have much to eat today.’ She had a doughnut. And boy, she was glad to see us.’”
Duffy became involved with the program through his affiliation with the Kiwanis Club, which helps deliver the meals.
But then about 15 years ago, his driver didn’t show up to deliver the meals.
That’s when he and Herwig formed a team.
Herwig is a member of the Coralville Optimist Club, which for years has prepared the meals for the Elder Services Senior Nutrition Program.
“We got together and we decided that we’d do that every year,” Herwig said.
Neither have any thoughts of quitting any time soon. They both enjoy each other’s company too much, and they like helping people in need, especially during the holidays.
“(We’ll do it) as long as there’s people out there that need meals delivered, and as long as there’s a Thanksgiving and a Christmas,” Herwig said. “It just works together.
“It’s just a habit now. On Thanksgiving and Christmas, this is just scheduled in.”
— Pat Harty
