Seniors get a treat on Grandparents Day

For Grandparents Day this Sunday, local seniors will receive a free lunch and get to play bingo from a group who is making it their mission to brighten the lives area seniors.

The Ladies of Harley and the Carson-Tahoe HOG Chapter will host the Grandparents Day from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Carson City Senior Citizens Center.

"This is the fourth or fifth year we've done this," said Joyce Cabello, an officer with Ladies of Harley.

The group will barbecue hamburgers and hot dogs and offer salads to anybody who shows up for lunch. They are hoping to serve about 200 seniors.

They also have a host of raffle prizes dontated by local businesses to be given away, along with bingo and a hula group that will perform for the seniors.

The Ladies of Harley have also made two quilts out of Harley-Davidson T-shirts that will be raffled off. Tickets are $5 each or five for $20. The winner need not be present to win. The quilt drawing will be Oct. 1.

Cabello has been a member of the local chapter since August 2006, and has been riding for about 15 years. She owns a 1990, 1200 Sportster Harley-Davidson, candy tangerine in color.

Cabello's husband, Ed, doesn't ride.

"It's not his thing," she said.

The local Ladies of Harley chapter has about 40 members. Proceeds from Grandparents Day will be donated to the Meals on Wheels program at the senior center.

"The seniors absolutely adore this event," said Janice McIntosh, senior center director. "These people put on the best event and they serve food, play bingo, have prizes. And they're all so friendly. They're just wonderful, spectacular people.

"Ladies of Harley and the local HOG chapter have done this before and they do it with heart. Not like, 'Oh, geez, we have to do this.' They enjoy it as much as we do. It makes it that much more special."

Cabello said they're not putting a number on what they want to raise, they just want to raise as much as they can.

"This year expenses are more difficult for seniors," Cabello said. "Gas prices, (senior) projects getting cut, we want raise as much as we can to benefit as many seniors as possible."

To donate, e-mail Cabello at JKCabello@sbcglobal.net, or call (775) 246-4662 or (408) 888-4679.

- Contact Rhonda Costa at rcosta@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.