Senior center goes for the gold
<p>Betty Ann Henderson, Post Falls City Council member, prepares a dish for the Post Falls Senior Center’s Meal on Wheels program Monday prior to delivering the meals to area residents.</p>
<p>Betty Ann Henderson joins volunteer Mark Jones, alternative to suspension coordinator for the Post Falls School District, to deliver a meal to Philip Bruno, far right, as part of the Meals on Wheels program.</p>
POST FALLS - Each spring, the Post Falls Senior Center goes for gold and the community rallies to help the nonprofit find it.
Gold Rush, the center's largest fundraiser of the year, is 5-10 p.m. Saturday at the Greyhound Park and Event Center in Post Falls.
The event coincides with a nationwide Meals on Wheels awareness campaign. Local elected officials are volunteering at the center this week and delivering meals to those in need.
"We lose money every year with our Meals on Wheels program, but make up for it with proceeds from our thrift store and rentals," said Alison McArthur, the center's executive director.
McArthur said Meals on Wheels saves taxpayers money because it helps homebound seniors stay independent and at home with nutritious meals versus being in an assisted living facility or nursing home.
"One day in the hospital equals six days in a nursing home equals one year's worth of meals for one of our Meals on Wheels clients," McArthur said, referring to cost comparisons.
Gold Rush features a dinner catered by Texas Roadhouse, silent and live auctions, music by Tuxedo Junction, dancing and raffles for vacation packages. A testimonial video for Meals for Wheels will also be shown.
Tickets are $25 per person and available at the senior center and the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce. Raffle tickets for vacations, including an Alaskan cruise, whitewater rafting trip, Disneyland and Las Vegas, are $5 each or five for $20 and are being sold at both locations.
McArthur said volunteer delivery drivers for Meals on Wheels are needed. The time slots are from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
For more information, call 773-9582 or email pfsc78@roadrunner.com.