Fueling Creativity
A custom-built carport sits outside a charming brick ranch on a quiet Winston-Salem street. Just beyond it, the garage door is rolled up to reveal its conversion into 84-year-old Allen Weaver’s workshop. A space that tells his life story as much as it holds his tools.
A large corkboard covers the back wall, layered with black-and-white photos of favorite memories from growing up in Winston-Salem, newspaper clippings marking major moments, pictures of his time in the Army, and technical drawings of the carport that made the workshop a reality.
Shelves line the other walls, filled with carefully labeled bins of wood scraps and project pieces, and countless tools—all perfectly in place, waiting to be used. Allen’s pride in this space and the work he does in it is evident from the moment you walk into his shop.
It’s a love for creating that he fondly calls “sawdust therapy.”
In Sickness and in Health
For 60 years, Allen has built a life with his wife Sylvia in this house, raising three children and watching them go on to raise their own. Unfortunately, over the years, Sylvia faced worsening health challenges related to COPD. Allen became her primary caregiver. “I’m taking care of my wife…she’s not doing too well,” Allen shared. “I love my wife. I’ll take care of her as long as I can.”
Having a wood shop in his garage allowed Allen to keep creating while staying close to home to care for Sylvia. He built a miniature town that surrounds his den, each building representing a significant place for him and Sylvia. He also started making custom wooden nameplates for the tellers at his beloved local bank, First Citizens.
However, over time, he experienced medical challenges of his own. After surviving two heart attacks himself, the daily tasks around the house and caring for his wife became harder to manage.
By the time Allen began losing sight in one of his eyes, he also started losing confidence in himself and his ability to continue with the woodworking projects he loved.
That’s when Allen’s son made a call to Meals-on-Wheels.
“He knew I needed help,” Allen said. “And I enjoy meeting new people. It was right up my alley. The meals were good—but sometimes the company meant even more.”
Finding Purpose Again
After two years of receiving Meals-on-Wheels, Allen felt a need to give something back.
“I said to myself, ‘I’ve gotta do something for these people,” he said, talking of the volunteers, “They’re good people, and I love people.”
With renewed energy, Allen returned to his workshop and made his first wooden nameplate for a volunteer he affectionately calls “Sergeant Candy.”
That single project reignited a spark.
Since then, Allen has created more than 25 handcrafted nameplates for neighbors, family members, and other volunteers. His creativity has continued to grow—treasure chests for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and even a custom sandbox designed with a cover that transforms into benches.
“I like still being able to create,” Allen shared. “I kept saying I can’t do it, I can’t do it…but I’m gonna do the best I can.”
More Than a Meal
For Allen, the weekday knock on the door represents more than nourishment—it’s connection. It’s the support that allows him to continue caring for his wife and the encouragement to get him back to woodworking, his sawdust therapy.
Meals-on-Wheels helps participants like Allen age with dignity, live with purpose, and in this special case, explore their creativity. On Saturday, March 7, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, you are invited to be part of that mission at the 16th annual Art Show & Sale benefiting Meals-on-Wheels.
Browse hundreds of unique works of art from some of the most sought-after and up-and-coming local artists. Every purchase supports the Meals-on-Wheels program, helping to ensure that more older adults can continue connecting, thriving, and receiving the nourishment they need—one meal, one visit, and one knock at a time.
