Bluegrass in the Garden to benefit Meals on Wheels

The governor's back yard will be filled with the sounds of fiddles, basses and harmonicas for the annual Bluegrass in the Garden benefit for Meals on Wheels from 5-8 p.m. Saturday.

Admission guarantees a social box supper, provided by Red's Old 395 Grill. Beer, wine and soft drinks will be available for sale and women of the Senior Gift Shop will sell an array of homemade desserts, including fresh fruit, pecan pies, chocolate cake and more by the slice to accompany the supper.

All of the proceeds from the evening will go to Carson City's Meals on Wheels program for seniors 60 and older who need meal delivery due to illness, incapacitation or disability. For many of these seniors, the daily visit from the Meals on Wheels driver is the only contact with the outside world.

The Meals on Wheels program at the Carson City Senior Citizens Center is about $33,000 in the red. Though service to the neediest seniors receiving the meals is not in danger of being cut, there are about 15 on a waiting list with no relief in sight.

Seniors who can pay for their meals do so, but no one is turned away.

The Senior Center receives a small percentage of the funds for the program from the Division for Aging and the USDA, but about one-third of the money needed is obtained through local fund-raising.

The evening will conclude with a raffle of donated prizes, including a gift certificate for Adele's Restaurant and Lounge, lunch or dinner for one at B'Sghetti's, brunch for two at the Carson Nugget, lift passes to Diamond Peak, golfing at Eagle Valley Golf Course, two tickets to see "Les Folie's de Paris" at the Eldorado Hotel/Casino, and two cruises for two on the Hornblower Cruises at Lake Tahoe. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5.

Another way the community can help is through the center's "Adopt a Senior" program. Cost is $46 per month or $552 per year. Or one can choose to commit to three or six months.

"Whatever they can do to help that is manageable for them," said Janice McIntosh, executive director of the center.

Anyone wishing to donate should make sure those accepting the donations know the money is for the 'Adopt a Senior' program.

WHAT: Bluegrass in the Garden

WHEN: 5-8 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Governor's Mansion, back yard

COST: $12 general admission; $8.50 seniors and children 12-younger

INFO: 883-0703

ALSO: Bring lawn chair or blanket

RAFFLE: $1 each ticket or 6/$5