Fred I. Howard, Jr. has spent the last 20 years ensuring that the elderly of Southern Maine are able to remain independent in their homes as long as possible. At 82 years old, Fred's philosophy is that life is for living and for helping others.
After his retirement from Blue Cross Blue Shield in 1989, Fred became a very active board member of South Portland Health Services. With ten years of dedication and industry expertise from Fred, Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) now covers Cumberland and York counties.
In 1999, Fred began delivering "Meals on Wheels" with Southern Maine Area Agency on Aging (SMAAA). For him, this program is about so much more than food - he treasures the relationships he builds with clients, and sympathized with their struggles, particularly hearing about their dilemmas between buying their medication or food.
An illness in 2002 meant a short stay for him at South Portland Nursing Home. Fred quickly made new friends. Fred recovered, and he returned to making 40 Meals on Wheels deliveries three days a week. In addition, he now visits South Portland Nursing Home residents every Wednesday afternoon, without fail.
Ann Bain of SMAAA describes Fred as the "invisible, visible hero to hundreds of shut-ins who can't wait for him to deliver their meal and have a little chat with them." Judy Noel, activities director at South Portland Nursing Home, says Fred Howard is "honorable and kind. He makes life better for all who know him."