Success Stories

Lester DeBardelabon had always been a working man, owning his own home and taking

care of his family. One night about 5 years ago during a severe storm, a tree fell on his house

doing major damage. In the aftermath of the storm, trying to remove debris and  salvage

what he could in his house, he suffered a major stroke.  The family had to move

in with his mother-in-law. When Mr. D. was dismissed from rehab, he was partially paralyzed.

His job was gone. His house was gone. His family was trying to fit into a smaller,

older house. He was severely depressed. RDK had been delivering a meal to Mrs. Whitson,

his mother-in-law for many years. A driver asked if Mr. D. would be blessed by a meal too.

His wife and son continued to work; no one was home to prepare meals during the day.

That began his connection to RDK. As his mother-in-law’s health declined, he pushed himself

to answer the daily  door knock to receive their meals.

“That daily contact saved my life”, he said. It was that daily human connection as much as the
meal that gave him reason to get out of bed, struggle to the door and say “thank you” to
whomever brought his meal. He even began going outside to wait for his driver/friends. He has
continued to improve in his walking and speech and stamina. He is grateful for those people
who are kind. He returns that kindness by his concern for each person and his prayers for their GOOD.