Well it wasn’t exactly a straight shot from Portugal to Pacific Grove. There was a huge career of 31 years in Hospitality and then several years as a kitchen designer after arriving in the U.S. at the age of 25.
Fernando Morgadinho became a volunteer driver when his dear friend Richard, who was a driver, approached him. He drove a route with another volunteer to Pacific Meadows, and that became the one he loves.
In Fernando’s years as a driver, the stories are many. Since he has had the same route all these years, he knows his clients very well.
One time, a Danish couple in their eighties, asked Fernando if he could help put together a office chair for them. Before he looked at the chair he agreed. He turned around and it was sitting in two large boxes. It was a bit more of an undertaking than he thought it would be, but after a ½ hour the couple had a fabulous swivel and reclining office chair, thanks to his handy work. To this day the couple is grateful for the help they received.
When Fernando speaks about why he is a volunteer driver, he says, “You can’t help but get to know your clients. They talk about their health, their feelings, families, pets and more. Many cling on to us as they are desperate for a person to interact with them. And it’s not unusual for me to say I would love to continue to talk but I have more deliveries to make.”
Thoughts that Fernando would share to those thinking of volunteering comes from his heart. “Volunteering is a very rewarding thing to do. It gives you an internal feeling that you cannot buy. It makes you feel that you are contributing to society and specifically the community you live in.”
After being in the U.S. since he was 25, becoming a U.S. Citizen in 1995 and raising a family in Carmel Valley, this is Fernando’s community. He is also a member of the Carmel Valley Kiwanis. Recently MOWMP got a new volunteer driver from his Kiwanis group.
Fernando shows you that you can pay it forward to the next person who will experience joy in being a volunteer with MOWMP.
We at MOWMP are very grateful for Fernando’s dedication to being a volunteer driver and look forward to many continued years ahead.
