Andrew Burnap, Lily Tomlin & More Take Part in Meals on Wheels America's #RespectYourElders Campaign

Lily Tomlin, Andrew Burnap, Earvin "Magic" Johnson, and more are taking part in Meals on Wheels America's #RespectYourElders social media campaign.

See their social media posts below!

The social media challenge is simple - share heartwarming videos or photos that raise up the stories, smiles and charming personalities of meaningful elders in your life - and it comes at a crucial time when America's seniors are lonelier than ever, with millions homebound and living by themselves without family or friends nearby.

Many of the organization's celebrity supporters will take to social media throughout August to share words of wisdom from their own older loved ones and encourage their followers to do the same. Famous participants include NBA legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson, actors Lily Tomlin, Andrew Burnap, Annaleigh Ashford, Danny Burstein, Gail Bean, Jalyn Hall, Poorna Jagannathan, Ramona Young and Zyra Gorecki, and singers Lance Bass and Coffey Anderson.

"I always admired my mom for her warmth and kindness," shared Lily Tomlin when asked who she is spotlighting in support of the campaign. "One of the greatest things she taught me is that there's always room at the table for one more. That's why I'm answering Meals on Wheels America's call to #RespectYourElders."

Additionally, renowned journalist Gayle King recently joined Meals on Wheels America to support the campaign by hand-delivering meals to seniors in New York City and said, "Everybody I know likes to eat, but imagine if you had no way or means to get to the grocery store or a restaurant. Sadly, that's the reality for many who are elderly in our city. That's why when Meals on Wheels asked if I wanted to help deliver lunch and dinner to people who need it most, I said, 'Yes, please sign me up!' Now, it's your turn."

Millions of seniors are homebound and nearly a third of those who live alone spend almost all of their time by themselves. Supporting Meals on Wheels today provides the food, compassion and hope that can not only brighten their days but change their lives.

"At Meals on Wheels, we don't just nourish seniors' bodies through our food deliveries, but their souls as well because, for many, our volunteers provide the only human contact they have all week," said Ellie Hollander, President and CEO of Meals on Wheels America. "The #RespectYourElders campaign is meant to encourage people to connect with the seniors in their lives, from family and friends to neighbors. They need us and, as our Meals on Wheels volunteers who help us in our mission to combat senior isolation could tell you, there is so much we can learn from them."

Head to www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/respect to learn more about how you can get involved with the #RespectYourElders campaign and support Meals on Wheels' crucial work.

To post a comment, you must register and login.