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Left to right, Lions Club President Gary Valerio, Lions Club program coordinator Bob Blake, Seneca Nursing Home Director of Nursing Services Kelly Davids, nursing home resident Rita Vassella, and Jen Page, Director of Activities.
For more than 40 years, members of the Waterloo Lions Club have gathered at the Seneca Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for an annual hot dog roast. It’s an event residents eagerly look forward to.
But this year, when the Lions fired up the grill, they really fired it up.
“I noticed flames coming from under the grill,” said Lions Club member Bob Blake. “I said, ‘This can’t be good.’”
The Lions shut down that grill and continued the cook out on another, smaller grill. But the Lions weren’t gong to let the matter stop there.
On Friday, the Lions returned to the nursing home with two new grills in tow.
Blake said the club worked with Lowes to obtain two larger, more efficient grills. Lowe’s was very generous, Blake said, even contributing some accessories and other supplies.
“I can’t say enough good about Lowe’s,” Blake said. “They really helped a lot. They are very community minded.”
Waterloo Lions Club President Gary Valerio, Lions Club program coordinator Bob Blake.
Resident Rita Vassella said the Lions Club cookout is a highlight of the summer for residents like her. “My family used to have cookouts at Powder Mills Park,” she said, “so the Lions Club cookout brings back many happy memories. And we love hot dogs!”
“Helping the community is our pleasure and our heritage,” said Club President Gary Valerio. He said the club holds a Christmas party for residents every year, complete with gifts for each resident and a Christmas concert by the high school chorus.
Additionally, the Lions sponsor the weekly bingo parties in which residents compete for quarters. The games are a big hit with the residents, said activities director Jen Page.
Seneca’s Director of Nursing Service Kelly Davids said the facility is going to be sure to keep the new grills cleaned and in good repair so they will last a long time. “We are so grateful to the Lions for their donation and their caring,” she said.
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