DOWNEY - Mayor Luis Marquez joined Downey Meals on Wheels two weeks ago to help deliver nine turkey dinners and sack lunches to homebound residents.Marquez's participation was part of national Meals for Mayors Day, in which 12,000 mayors from across the nation joined Meals on Wheels on their route. Louise Frank, a Downey resident for more than 50 years, said she had never met a mayor until Marquez stepped through her doors. Another resident, John Persich, told Marquez how impressed he was with Downey paramedics, who responded within five minutes after he fell in his garden. Persich wears a Life Alert bracelet that alerted authorities. The final stop was at the home of John Tolle, former president of Meals on Wheels. Tolle noted that "this is the most political power that had been in (my) home in the last 30 years." Marquez praised Downey Meals on Wheels and said it "would be a great opportunity for teens to get involved with during the summer." For more information on Meals on Wheels, call (562) 622-5636 or visit downeymealsonwheels.org.

********** Published: April 7, 2011 - Volume 9 - Issue 51