Campaign marches for meals to benefit Lyon County seniors

Lyon County senior centers are participating in a nationwide project to raise funds for their Meals on Wheels program.

"March for Meals" is held throughout March to help each participating senior center raise money to help fund its expenses.

The Dayton Senior Center is beginning its efforts Saturday with a car wash from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the center, 320 Old Dayton Valley Road.

"We have no goal," said Kelley Crossman, manager of the center. "Just whatever we get in will be great."

There is not a set amount for the donation, but Crossman said with the many teenagers and youth in the community volunteering their time on a Saturday, they may be disappointed to only receive $1 for their hard work.

"We're washing inside and out and vacuuming and cleaning the windows" she said. "We'll have some seniors helping out also. Even my kids are helping."

The Dayton center delivers about 125 meals a week, or 500 a month. Suggested donation from the recipient is $2 per meal. The seniors donate what they can.

"Our total expense for the meal is approximately $7.69," Crossman said. "Government funding provides about 68 percent of that cost. We need to make up the difference."

Kathy Serfoss, manager of the Fernley Senior Center, recently sent an e-mail to the business community of Fernley asking for donations. They deliver about 1,300 meals a month.

"The response is not very good," Serfoss said. "But we are having a $2 per bag sale from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. March 22 in our thrift store. On the same day, Mayor David Stix will be helping deliver meals to our homebound."

Serfoss, Crossman and Bobbie Hughes, manager of the Silver Springs center, will compete against each other in a pool tournament. They are selling tickets for $1 each or six for $5 for a 50/50 cash drawing. The name drawn will receive half the money; the remainder will be split between the managers for their placing in the tournament.

"I'm the pool shark," Serfoss said. "And I have home-field advantage."

Serfoss said the center is also selling tickets for a Kimball organ. They are $5 each or five for $20. The Fernley Center is at 1170 W. Newlands and is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday, and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday. Winner need not be present to win, the drawing is March 31. Monetary donations are also accepted at this address.

The Silver Springs Senior Center, 1050 Pyramid St., is holding a bake sale at 4:30 p.m. each Wednesday in March. They are also selling tickets for a "bear in a box." It is a teddy bear holding a special surprise. Tickets are $2 each; winner need not be present to win. The drawing is March 17.

Monetary donations for Silver Springs may be mailed to P.O. Box 149, Silver Springs, 89429.

An indoor flea market will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 18 in Silver Springs. Call the center to rent a table.

Silver Springs will also hold a prime rib dinner from 4-6 p.m. March 25. Cost is $5 per person and includes baked potato, salad and dessert.

The Dayton Senior Center will host a spaghetti dinner and evening of bingo on March 24. Each plate is $5, and each adult, 21-older, receives a free bingo card. Additional cards may be purchased for $1 each or six for $5. Dinner is from 4-5:45 p.m.

At 6 p.m., bingo begins, but the children may stay. Free movies and popcorn and juice will be available in the back room.