Love, Mike: A Lifetime of Service

“BY THEIR OWN WORK, YOU SHALL KNOW THEM.” — MATTHEW 7:16

As the child of a career military father, St. Vincent Meals on Wheels client Mike Averill spent much of his childhood on the move. Born in Maine and raised in North Carolina, Mike and his family lived in several states, as well as Japan, Spain, and Laos. He describes his youth as the best geography lesson anyone could hope for. One place that frequently came to mind during his well-traveled childhood was California, with its golden beaches, progressive thinking, and relaxed lifestyles – a place where surfing could become a favorite pastime.

California dreaming was put on hold when Mike, like his father and grandfather before him, enlisted in the U.S. Marines during the Vietnam War. Serving his country was always a clear objective, despite the war’s unpopularity back home. Mike donned his uniform and proudly stood with his fellow enlistees, serving in combat zones. Although his tours of duty in an unpopular war took a toll on him and many of his fellow soldiers, he remained bound by the oath of all new Marine recruits to defend and uphold the Constitution of the United States. His Marine spirit of perseverance in tough times always guided him.

During his time in Vietnam, Mike witnessed the sickness and loss of soldiers and indigenous people and fought against loneliness, enemy booby traps, and the grim realities of a war zone. His experience in Vietnam was the most significant of his life. One thing that helped him during this time was writing, mostly poetry; some verses were about the horror of war, while others were about the joys of home:

“I thought about the things I had back home,
I thought about cold water,
and someone’s round-eyed daughter—
they say it’s great to fight,
but I’ve got some opinions of my own,
I wanna go home.”

Some time after his years in the war, Mike moved to California in 1982, when the “hippie vibe,” as he describes with a smile, “was still in full force.” Although the scars of war would always be a part of him, he built a life for himself, got married, and had children of his own.

Today, Mike lives alone in Los Angeles, the city he’s called home after years of moving as a child and serving overseas. He’s been receiving meals from St. Vincent Meals on Wheels for nearly a decade— and he’s not alone.

There are over 18 million veterans in the U.S., with nearly half over 65 and mostly male. Many senior veterans, like Mike, are homebound and living alone—approximately 2.5 million need services like those provided by SVMOW. These programs help them connect with volunteers, drivers, and friendly callers. SVMOW staff often act as first responders, noticing changes in their welfare.

US Marine veteran Sgt. Dan Franco (USMC 2001-2009 OIF 2004-2005), a longtime Operations Specialist at SVMOW, says, “I’m proud to help fellow veterans through our service. Working with the Daughters of Charity feels like being a Marine—a global family dedicated to serving. The saying ‘God, Country, and Corps’ guides me to honor my oath by doing what God asks of us.”

Mike likens the dedication and focus of the staff at SVMOW to the warriors he served with, moving bravely through the unhealthy air quality during recent fires, never missing a day of service and always showing up at his door with a smile. “If I could, I’d make them all honorary Marines,” he said, “Not in a war-making way, but in the spirit of carrying on and sharing the spirit of giving and service.” He likes the food, too!

“Oh boy! It’s Wednesday, and I know that Christine is going to bring me breakfast food, and I just love the yogurt; it’s my favorite!”

Mike reminds us how St. Matthew’s verse encourages us to examine not only words or appearances but also the actions and outcomes of people’s attitudes, whether in a religious context or any area of life. This emphasizes the importance of actions and their results as a way to identify people’s true nature or beliefs.

“They do God’s work,” Mike says of the staff and volunteers at SVMOW who serve him daily. “I can’t shop, and I just don’t have the energy to prepare my own meals. I don’t know what I would do without their care and attention.”

Recently, Mike wrote a beautiful letter to the leadership at SVMOW, listing several people by name, including our dedicated social work team members Vanessa and Fiona; Maria, who always takes his calls; Paula, who never fails to ask how he is feeling and whether there is anything he needs; and Veronica, who oversees the program that serves so many military vets like himself and other vulnerable seniors across Los Angeles County. “I have always been a lukewarm Christian at best,” he wrote. “But witnessing your service to the community as a loving organization has given me a deeper connection to what is holy – Love, Mike.”

We are honored to serve Mike and many others like him who sacrificed to serve us.