Carey Houghton may be a local now, but her life began with exotic travel. Born and raised in Zimbabwe, she moved to London at 17. Her passion for travel led her to spend a year in Australia and work at a Swiss ski resort. She says, “I met my husband, Andrew, while we were working at the London Marriott, and thus began a 30-year expat journey around the world.” This journey included living in several countries, such as Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, China and the United States. 

Andrew enjoyed a long career as a Marriott and Ritz Carlton General Manager and Area Vice President, while Carey enjoyed fun jobs during that time—from serving as the Social Secretary to the British Ambassador in Cairo, to being a flight attendant on a private jet in Riyadh, a personal shopper in Istanbul and a buyer for an historic house museum shop in Fort Lauderdale. 

Carey and Andrew chose Sarasota for their retirement, settling in the historic Avondale neighborhood, conveniently located near downtown. They frequently walk to the Bay in the mornings and enjoy the various dining options in Southside Village. During the quieter summer months, they often venture downtown for dinner before a short drive to Lido Beach to watch the sunset. Despite having only spent a single night in Sarasota previously, they were drawn to it because several couples they knew, especially former Marriott colleagues, had also retired there. Shortly after moving to Sarasota in 2019, a neighbor introduced Carey to Meals on Wheels. “Their work is so vital to a diverse and often distressed community, those I would not have met otherwise,” she explains. “Having witnessed food insecurity in the international cities we have lived in, I felt compelled to help in my new hometown.” Carey’s commitment to her Meals on Wheels clients goes beyond simply delivering food. Having served the same individuals since she started, she’s built meaningful relationships. One client, named Greg, has always been polite and friendly when she comes to visit. When Carey discovered Greg was sleeping on unwashed sheets due to a broken washing machine in his very modest one-room rental—where he only had a bucket for hand-washing—she took immediate action. She purchased fresh sheets, pillows and a new pair of shoes for him. Greg had fallen on hard times after back surgery wiped out his savings and now relies on a walker with limited mobility. This act of purchasing simple items brought him comfort, improved his health and restored his dignity. For Carey, witnessing the lack of modern conveniences among many recipients, like Greg, is a weekly reminder of how fortunate she is. “I’m happy to volunteer my time to remind me of my good fortune in life,” she says. 

Carey continues to enjoy traveling. However, she remains a dedicated volunteer for Meals on Wheels whenever she is home. “Luckily, we’re here a lot during the summer when the need for volunteers is greatest,” she notes. During other periods, she says, “we also volunteer—or beg—to look after friends and neighbors’ pets while they’re away.” Regarding the honor of being named a Good Hero by SRQ Magazine, Carey expresses her gratitude but humbly suggests that many other Meals on Wheels volunteers contribute far more. She has successfully recruited three members of her golf group to also deliver meals, adding, “I know they all go above and beyond every time.”  SRQ Carey Houghton was honored as a Good Hero by SRQ Magazine in December 2025.