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Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Officials Deliver Meals to Raise Awareness of Senior Hunger
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State and county officials were joined by Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. executives to promote the Meals on Wheels program |
Two Pleasantville senior citizens got an unexpected surprise when their Meals on Wheels lunch, provided by Atlantic County, was delivered to them on Wednesday, March 22. Instead of being greeted by the usual staff, each of the residents received their meals from "substitute" delivery staff that included Atlantic County Freeholder Chairman Joseph Silipena and Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. executives John Payne, President of Harrah's Atlantic City properties, and Dan Nita, Senior Vice President/General Manager of Caesars Atlantic City.
The delivery followed the presentation of a $5,000 donation from Harrah's to the county for its Meals on Wheels program as part of Harrah's "March For Meals" campaign to raise awareness of senior hunger. The donation was made at the Atlantic County Leinweber Senior Center in Northfield, one of nine county senior centers that provide meals and activities.
County Executive Dennis Levinson and Freeholder Silipena expressed their appreciation to Harrah's for its continued support of the county's Meals on Wheels program. "Once again, Harrah's has demonstrated its commitment as a community partner. Atlantic County is grateful for Harrah's cooperation and its efforts to eliminate senior hunger by supporting programs such as Meals on Wheels," said Levinson.
In 2002, Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. donated a Dodge Dakota truck that is used by the county to deliver 350 meals a day to frail residents 60 years of age and older who are unable to leave the confines of their homes or prepare their own meals.
"Harrah's 40 U.S. properties have a community commitment to the Meals on Wheels program," stated Payne. "We recognize and appreciate the program's assistance to a very special population - our seniors."
Harrah's is a national sponsor of the Meals on Wheels Association of America's "March For Meals" campaign. During the month of March, participating programs and partners across the country help raise awareness, recruit new volunteers to join the fight against senior hunger and raise money to be used on local levels. It was during March 1972 that the law was enacted to include senior meal programs in the Older Americans Act.
For more information, please contact Howard J. Kyle at (609) 343-2368. |
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