Thank you, Harrah’s Foundation & Robby Gordon!

Harrah’s Foundation Donates New Delivery Truck, NASCAR Nextel Cup Driver Robby Gordon Delivers Meals on Wheels to Local Seniors

On Thursday, Aug. 3, at Meals on Wheels headquarters in Indianapolis, the Harrah’s Foundation donated a new $40,000 2006 Chevrolet Colorado meal delivery truck to Meals on Wheels, handing vehicle keys to MOW Board member Dr. Robert Palmer.

Immediately following the presentation ceremony, NASCAR Nextel Cup driver Robby Gordon, who is aiding Harrah’s nationwide efforts to drive public awareness for Meals on Wheels programs, drove the Harrah’s No. 7 Chevrolet Monte Carlo racecar to the nearby homes of two Meals on Wheels clients to deliver meals.

Gordon was 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, also attended the event.

The new Meals on Wheels delivery truck, which has a refrigeration unit and heated compartment, was 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.

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.

Meals on Wheels would like to extend special thanks to the following individuals and organizations for their participation and assistance in the truck and meal delivery event:

--Ellen White Quigley, Deputy Mayor for Community Affairs, City of Indianapolis
--Sgt. Jackie Goss, Indianapolis Police Department, and the entire IPD staff
--Amy Pollock, REI Real Estate Services, and the entire REI staff
--Doug Quick, Owner of the Landmark Café, and his entire staff
--Mart Tutwiler, Tutwiler Cadillac, and the entire Tutwiler Body Shop staff
--David Whitney, Indy Pro Audio, and all the Indy Pro Audio staff

Harrah’s Entertainment
--Anthony Sanfillipo, President, Central Division
--Debi Puccinelli, Director of Communications & Marketing
--Lisa Mariani, Corporate Philanthropy Specialist

Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA)
Bob Herbolsheimer, General Counsel

Meals on Wheels Board Members & Volunteers
--David Owen, MOW Board President & Volunteer who served as emcee
--Dr. Robert Palmer, MOW Board Member & Volunteer
--Julie Kirkendoll, MOW Board Member & Volunteer
--Andi Baughn, MOW Volunteer

All the MOW volunteers, board members and friends who attended the event!

Note from the Executive Director

For more information, please call our Special Event Hotline at 317.252.9090 .