9/30/2009 6:08:00 AM
Mayer Meals on Wheels
celebrates grand opening
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Auctioneer Larry Canaday hams it up with an art mask during the festivities at the Mayer Elders Center on Friday. The auction and a raffle brought in about $1,700 to help with center expenses.
BBNPhoto/Heidi Dahms Foster |
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The Mayer Meals on Wheels celebrated a grand re-opening Friday with an auction, a special lunch, and a presentation by Northern Arizona Council of Government officials.
More than 100 people crowded into the Mayer Elders Center to enjoy the festivities.
The Mayer Elders Center took over the Meals on Wheels program after NACOG discontinued its association with the Yavapai Senior Nutrition earlier this year. Mayer, along with Yarnell, Black Canyon City and Prescott Valley, had to find an organization in its community that could oversee both the Meals on Wheels and the van programs.
Mary Yorgensen now directs Meals on Wheels at Mayer, and money the organization raises stays in the community. The group was very successful on Friday, auctioning off two original paintings, some of Yorgensen's homemade pies, and two art masks. Fundraising director Trish Rasmussen described each item and Larry Canaday kept the auction lively with his hilarious antics.
Community businesses donated several items for a raffle, and sales were brisk.
County Supervisor Tom Thurman attended the event and praised the organization for its efforts on behalf of seniors.
"There still is this grassroots effect that government can help you guys to help yourselves, and help those who don't have the availability to help themselves. This is where I think government needs to be, not with some of the other stuff that's going on," he said.
Thurman has assisted the center to get its parking lot paved, and add horseshoe pits and a water fountain in the adjacent park.
"These are all things that wouldn't happen if I didn't have such generosity from you folks, and all the volunteers," he said.
Director for the Area Agency on Aging, Mary Beals-Ludtka, said, "It's really important that we keep Meals on Wheels going. Someday, you may need that service as well. It's all about what you are doing on the community level, you are the ones who are making this work. We're here to help you do what you do, and you guys do it so well."
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