February 19 - March 4, 2019
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Bluegrass stars to raise funds for Meals on Wheels
Photo contributed “I’m thrilled (that) even those who aren’t the normal bluegrass fan usually appreciate the skill of each musician and our brand of bluegrass,” says Grammy Award-winner Rhonda Vincent.
Rhonda Vincent and The Rage playing Feb. 28 at Mattei’s Tavern By Raiza Giorgi
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A
n idea for a small fundraiser for the Meals on Wheels program at the Buellton Senior Center has grown into a huge event involving many community members and even a few celebrities. “I love how this community has stepped up to help. I have been getting many phone calls from people wanting to either donate something or help at the event,” said Pam Gnekow, executive director of the Santa Ynez Valley Senior Citizens Foundation at the Buellton Senior Center. Through connections with local celebrity Bernie Taupin and his wife Heather, the organizers coordinated efforts to bring “Queen of Bluegrass” Rhonda Vincent and her band, The Rage, to perform on Feb. 28 at Mattei’s Tavern.
Photos by Daniel Dreifuss Pam Gnekow is the executive director of the Buellton Senior Center, which was founded to promote the common good and general welfare of the senior citizens and other residents of the Santa Ynez Valley.
Vincent said she is very much looking forward to performing because she gets to visit friends while helping to raise money for the community. “We have performed in the area a couple times before, so we are thrilled to visit
again,” Vincent said. “This event has been in the making for more than a year, as we lost critical funding when the Thomas Fire and Montecito mudslide disaster hit. Funding sources were rightfully diverted, but our seniors
are also very deserving of the programs and support,” Gnekow said. She noted that the senior center serves 133 seniors a day with its lunch program, which includes meals served at the senior center and through Meals on Wheels, where volunteers bring home-bound seniors food and other necessities. “I am excited to announce we are also partnering with Golden Inn and Village to be doing their meal program as well, which will increase the amount of food we need,” Gnekow said. Besides the meal program, the senior center hosts a free farmers market every Monday. Seniors and low-income families can take food that has been donated by Trader Joe’s in Santa Barbara. “We have a deal with Casa Esperanza that we bring them food as well, and then we bring about 2,200 pounds of food ranging from meats, cheeses, produce, vegetables and more,” she said. Gnekow said a homeless single mom
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