Charities
NASCAR Driver Robby Gordon to Deliver Meals on Wheels
By
Jul 25, 2006, 15:22

The Harrah's Foundation announced today it will be donating a new $40,000 2006 Chevrolet Colorado meal delivery truck to Meals on Wheels, Inc., a nonprofit meal delivery service for Central Indiana homebound elderly and disabled. The presentation of the truck will take place on Thursday, August 3, 2006 from 10:00 a.m. until noon.

Immediately following the presentation of the meal delivery truck, NASCAR Nextel Cup driver Robby Gordon will drive the Harrah's No. 7 Chevrolet Monte Carlo racecar to the nearby homes of two Meals on Wheels clients to deliver meals. Gordon will be escorted by local police as part of a caravan including the new delivery vehicle and passenger vans carrying other MOW board members and supporters. Executives from Caesars Indiana and Horseshoe Hammond Casino, both Indiana-based Harrah's Entertainment properties, will also attend the event.

Gordon is aiding Harrah's nationwide efforts to drive public awareness for Meals on Wheels programs by making public appearances at special events. The presentation will be made at the Meals on Wheels headquarters, located at 1099 N. Meridian Street in Indianapolis.

Meals on Wheels began meal delivery services in Indianapolis in 1971, with ten volunteers serving five clients at University Heights Hospital. Today, MOW has more than 1,500 volunteers -- individual citizens and others provided by corporations, churches and service organizations -- who serve approximately 400 daily clients. MOW's meals are prepared at hospitals and health care facilities under the supervision of registered dieticians, and provide clients with 2/3 of their daily nutrition needs. MOW works with the clients' physicians to accommodate low-sodium, diabetic and other special diets.

"Meals on Wheels provides vital services to Central Indiana's invisible' population -- its homebound elderly and disabled," said Barb Morris, Executive Director, Meals on Wheels, Inc. "The addition of this vehicle will enable us to better serve our existing clients and allow us to broaden our important services in the future. We're thankful for Harrah's commitment to this meaningful mission, and we thank them for their generosity."

Meals on Wheels serves clients in and around Marion County. The new delivery truck will allow better service to more rural, underserved areas in the eight-county area.

The new Meals on Wheels, Inc. delivery truck will be the 27th Harrah's has given to Meals on Wheels programs across the country. Since 2002, this donated fleet has driven over 600,000 miles to deliver more than 2 million meals to homebound seniors.

In February of 2002, Harrah's Entertainment became the prime sponsor of the Meals On Wheels Association of America's "March for Meals" campaign, a nationwide initiative to end senior hunger, and committed $1 million of support to the project. In 2005, the Harrah's Foundation extended the sponsorship, pledging another $1 million to be distributed through 2008.

"As a national prime sponsor of the "March for Meals" campaign, Harrah's is committed to bringing attention to the importance of senior nutrition and Meals On Wheels programs," said Anthony Sanfilippo, President, Central Division. "We are proud to help Meals on Wheels, Inc. reach more seniors, and we commend them on their long history of dedication and tireless work that has affected change in the community."

According to the Meals On Wheels Association of America, more than 13 percent of Americans are older than 65, and that number is projected to jump to 20 percent by 2030. The programs rely extensively on private donations and contributions in order to meet their budgetary needs.

"Meals On Wheels Association of America is proud to work with Harrah's on our "March for Meals' campaign," said Enid Borden, chief executive officer of the Meals On Wheels Association of America. "Harrah's made a commitment to us three years ago, and they have been there for us and the hundreds of thousands of seniors we serve every day. Their generosity has enabled Meals On Wheels programs throughout the United States to reduce waiting lists, serve seniors who otherwise would go hungry and, in some cases, provide trucks to transport hot and cold meals to the homebound elderly."

The Harrah's Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit corporation that provides charitable contributions to qualifying organizations in the communities where employees of Harrah's Entertainment, Inc., and its subsidiaries live and work.

About Harrah's Entertainment

Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. is the world's largest provider of branded casino entertainment through operating subsidiaries. Since its beginning in Reno, Nevada 68 years ago, Harrah's has grown through development of new properties, expansions and acquisitions. Harrah's Entertainment is focused on building loyalty and value with its customers through a unique combination of great service, excellent products, unsurpassed distribution, operational excellence and technology leadership.

Harrah's strives to share its success with its communities, making them vibrant places to work and live. The company offers support through donations and sponsorships, public and private sponsorships, and encouraging employee volunteerism. In 2005, Harrah's gave over $57 million in community contributions, including $8.1 million in assistance for victims of Hurricane Katrina, and provided over 100,000 hours of employee volunteer time to community causes.

About Meals on Wheels, Inc.

For 35 years, Meals on Wheels, Inc. has served home delivered meals to meet the nutrition needs of greater Indianapolis area homebound elderly and disabled. These meals supply 2/3 daily requirements to approximately 400 daily clients, and accommodate special diets. A nonprofit organization, MOW provides these services through the generosity of private donations, using more than 1,500 volunteers - individual citizens and others provided by corporations, churches and service organizations. MOW is a United Way of Central Indiana agency. For more information, to volunteer and to apply for services, please visit www.mealsonwheelsindy.org.

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