Volunteer Spotlight

The Friendship That Started With a Jazz CD

A 98-year-old veteran and a legendary music executive — brought together by a knock on the door and a jazz CD.

April 2026  ·  National Volunteer Month  ·  Meals on Wheels Rockland

William Derella and George Frost — a friendship four years in the making.

In celebration of National Volunteer Month this April, Meals on Wheels Rockland is sharing a story that perfectly illustrates how volunteering delivers so much more than a meal. It’s a story of two men from different generations — a 98-year-old resident and a dedicated volunteer — brought together by the power of music to form a life-changing friendship.

For Meals on Wheels volunteer William Derella, it started as a routine meal delivery and safety check to then-94-year-old George Frost, a Veteran living with his son Tim in the house he built himself in 1957. But on this particular delivery day, William — a legendary music executive who managed the careers of Fergie, The Black Eyed Peas, Sean Paul, John Legend, and Prince Royce — noticed George’s collection of Jazz CDs. A Jazz aficionado himself, William spotted John Pizzarelli’s All of Me CD, pointed to the producer credit, and revealed his own name listed.

That discovery was the first note in a beautiful multi-year, ongoing friendship.

What began as brief chats during meal deliveries soon evolved into dedicated weekly music sessions spanning four years — George is now 98. These gatherings became a lifeline, especially for George, who sometimes struggles to find his words. His daughter, Judy, shares it beautifully:

“Dad has a hard time getting his words out when speaking, but when singing with William, all the words flow.”

— Judy, George’s daughter

This experience highlights the profound benefits of music for older adults. Music is a powerful tool that can stimulate cognitive function and unlock memories, allowing individuals to reconnect with their identity and communicate in ways that words alone cannot.

During their sessions, William brings his iPad and a portable speaker, and with lyrics in front of him, George sings loudly and proudly. In addition to sharing insider music industry tidbits about the songs and artists they listen to, William’s custom playlists are often themed:

Their listening habits span everything from Nat King Cole to Billy Joel. Laughter is also a staple of their weekly routine — which William believes is the best medicine, next to singing.

Their friendship is a testament to the power of human connection. As William puts it:

“We’re Bros — he’s like my wise, older brother. He inspires me and I think I’m going to live longer because of George.”

— William Derella, Meals on Wheels volunteer

The feeling is entirely mutual.

“He’s there when I need him. It always brightens up my day when he comes over.”

— George Frost, age 98

Their bond shows that volunteering is a deeply reciprocal act. As William puts it: “We always say age is only a number — it’s very therapeutic what we do.”

The story of William and George is the heart of the Meals on Wheels mission. This National Volunteer Month, we invite you to create your own meaningful connections. By volunteering, you can combat the loneliness and isolation faced by so many seniors — delivering not just a nutritious meal, but also a vital dose of companionship and joy.