Listen to this article
He started volunteering with The Salvation Army in March 1987. When his alarm rings at 4 a.m., four days a week, he gets dressed and takes the bus to the Redondo Beach Corps in Southern California, where he makes coffee and prepares meals for delivery to homebound seniors.
“I have something to do, and I like to deliver the meals; it keeps me out of trouble,” said Mueller, who experiences some physical disability due to cerebral palsy. “They are my friends and I like to talk to them. I get good compliments about good coffee.”
According to Kitchen Manager Junior Torres, Mueller is always on the move. In addition to participating in a bowling league, he attends a weightlifting class at a nearby junior college.
“Everybody asks for Michael when they walk in the door,” Torres said. “He cares for everybody and will ask you about everything in your life—from your kids to your cat.”
