Hugh A. West will serve as chairman for Suffolk Meals on Wheels (SMOW) for 2003, according to an announcement by Sharon L. DeWitt, program director

In addition to West, the following officers were also announced: Jennifer Bradshaw, vice chairman; Virginia Norfleet, secretary; Hattie West, assistant secretary; Doug Casey, treasurer; Leroy Edwards, assistant treasurer; and Sarah Walden, Historian.

Five new board members will also be inducted at the January meeting today. They are Jean Claud and Fran Duman representing Mike Duman Auto Sales; Andy Prutsok representing The Suffolk News-Herald; and Tina Smith and Melva West representing The Women’s Club of Suffolk, Inc.

SMOW was founded in Suffolk in March 1987 and the Windsor program was added in October 1998. The office is located in Obici Hospital and employs a director, DeWitt, and an assistant, Earl Smith. The program is a service designed to assist adults regardless of age, who are disabled and or frail, with nutritious daily meals.

According to DeWitt, for many, Meals on Wheels is a solution to a temporary situation, an illness or injury, or a recent hospital stay. For others the program becomes an essential part of daily life.

&uot;Last year we delivered almost 28,000 meals to residents in Suffolk, Holland, Whaleyville, Carrsville, Windsor and surrounding areas,&uot; said DeWitt. &uot;Meals were delivered by nearly 300 independent volunteers who donated over 6,300 hours to do so.&uot;

SMOW is governed by an all-volunteer Board of Directors and meets the second Tuesday of each month at Obici Hospital.

If you wish to become a volunteer or for any other information about the program, you can reach DeWitt at 934-4911.