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Tuesday, July 1, 2008 marks the launch of a new fundraising campaign from Meals-on-Wheels Greater San Diego in efforts to raise awareness and foster support for the meal delivery program among young professionals in San Diego.

From your teens to your twenties and into your thirty-somethings, you mature and your priorities change - but it's always important to remember your family and loved ones, including your grandparents. The new summertime fundraiser, "Celebrating Grandparents Day," is a fun and simple way to honor your grandparents while also supporting the Meals-on-Wheels foundation. This year, Grandparents Day falls on September 9, 2008, but this fundraiser begins in July, and closes in August.

Meals-on-Wheels encourages San Diego young professionals to visit the website - meals-on-wheels.org - to personalize and purchase a Grandparents Day greeting card. The greeting will be sent to your grandparent or, if you choose to "Adopt a Grandparent," one of the many senior clients served by Meals-on-Wheels. These unique cards can be purchased online from July 1 to August 1, 2008, and will be delivered to your loved one on or before September 9, 2008. The suggested minimum donation for each card is $15.

"It is important to us to provide an opportunity for young, working professionals to contribute back to their communities," says Marianna Ochoa, director of development, Meals-on-Wheels. "They may not have the extra time to volunteer in our meal center or deliver meals, but it's an important and tangible way to make a difference in the life and well-being of a senior in need."

The history of Grandparents Day can be traced back to 1961 with the efforts of Mrs. Hermine Beckett Hanna. Hermine Hanna has been recognized nationally by the United States Senate, and President Jimmy Carter as the founder of National Grandparents Day. Hermine made it her goal to educate the young in the community to the important contributions senior citizens have made, and to the important contributions they are willing to make if asked.

Meals-on-Wheels Greater San Diego delivers nutritious meals to homebound seniors throughout all of San Diego County. Through a network of staff and generous volunteers, deliveries are made six days a week. Often the delivery our volunteers make is the only outside visitor contact that the clients have. Not only do they personally deliver meals, but they also deliver hope, friendship, and security to hundreds of seniors in all parts of San Diego County.

For more information on Meals-on-Wheels and to personalize your "Celebrating Grandparents Day" card, visit meals-on-wheels.org.