Mel's Place raised $852 in its third Dice Run motorcycle benefit for Meals on Wheels, which was held on Sept. 5.
Mel's Place, located at 344 W. Main St., Falconer, was the beginning and ending location for the motorcycle run, which helped raise money for Meals on Wheels to deliver hot and cold meals to Chautauqua County's senior citizens. More than 60 bikers participated in the event.
"There's a lot of thanks that need to go out to the bikers," said Brenda Perks, who organized the event at Mel's Place.
"Bikers get a bad rap all the time, but I'll tell you what, if it wasn't for the bikers, these events wouldn't survive."
In three years, the event has raised close to $1,500 for Meals on Wheels.
"This year's response to the event was overwhelming," said Barrie Yochim, executive director for Meals on Wheels. "Brenda has been able to double the success of the rally, in both the number of people taking part and the amount of money raised, each year since she started."
The bike rally started at Mel's Place, then traveled to the Fredonia American Legion, Tom's Tavern in Maple Springs and Witch Kitch Inn in Sinclairville before ending back at Mel's Place.
"And, we didn't have any accidents," Mrs. Perks said, "All the bikers had a safe and enjoyable ride."
She also thanked the Ellicott Police Department for making sure the rally got off to a good and safe start.
"They're phenomenal," she said. "They do this for us every year."
The benefit ride included a cook-your-own steak fry at Mel's Place after bikers returned from the tour. The fourth annual event is already planned for Sept. 4, 2010, which is the Saturday of Labor Day weekend next year, Mrs. Perks said.
"Meals on Wheels is appreciative that so many groups and individuals have come forward to raise money for us," Yochim said.
"Any amount which is raised, no matter what size, has helped us get food in the hands of our area's senior citizens."
Meals are delivered by a combination of paid drivers and volunteers from the community. Some Meals on Wheels volunteers are from the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program.
Any Chautauqua County senior citizen can receive home meal delivery. Meals on Wheels of the Jamestown Area delivers to the southern half of Chautauqua County.
Sinclairville 76ers provides home-delivered meals to participants in the towns of Charlotte, Cherry Creek, Gerry and Ellington, as well as the areas of Cassadaga, Stockton and Lily Dale. Dunkirk-Fredonia Meals on Wheels provides home-delivered meals to participants along the Lake Erie lakeshore from Brocton to Silver Creek, and the village of Forestville.
For more information about Meals on Wheels, including how to start meal delivery for an individual, call 488-9119.
Meals on Wheels is a United Way funded agency.
