For one day only, Saturday, August 26th, from 11am to 2pm, John Meier will remount a special Hot Dog Day at The Wexford to support dementia care.

Many Tsawwassenites know John from his five-year run as Myrtle’s Famous Hot Dogs at Tsawwassen Town Centre Mall. “I started Myrtle’s because of my grandmother. She used to take me on trips to Coney Island, which is famous for its hot dogs. That’s how I got the idea to get into the business.”

What you may not know is that he recently joined the Bria Communities team as a driver for the Bria Van, the courtesy shuttle for residents at The Wexford and The Waterford seniors living communities. “He knows everyone in town, and with his personality and sense of humour, John is a natural fit for Bria,” says Rosanne Philbrook, Manager of The Wexford. “I knew right away he was the perfect guy for the position.”

John already had friends at The Waterford, and he would often join them for dinner and social hours. Through this connection, he got introduced to The Wexford residents and staff, and started a casual paid position with the recreation team. John was interested in an opportunity closer to home, and when the conversation came up to be Bria’s exclusive chauffeur, he jumped at the chance.

“John used to be a tour guide in downtown Vancouver, which means he knows his driving etiquette. With his knowledge of the local area, he is exactly what we need,” says Tania Dusevic, General Manager at The Waterford. “He takes our residents where they need to go, so that they can take care of all their errands and medical visits on their own. It makes a huge difference for everyone when they exercise their independence. Families are overjoyed when they realize they can spend more quality time with their mum and dad. We look after everyone’s needs well.”

“All the people here, residents and staff, are fantastic,” adds John. “And I’m impressed with the buildings: they’re first-class.” He feels that The Wexford is a new family for him, and he immensely enjoys the stories that he gets from the seniors on his drives around town. When he started driving at The Wexford, he soon realized that many of his passengers knew him from his Myrtle’s hot dog stand… and it was only a matter of time before everyone started hounding him for hot dogs!

John H. Meier loves the classics, whether it be his definitive Canadian collection of literary fiction, his choice of friends, or his passion for the most perfect hot dog he can find. This gave John the inkling of an idea to create a one-day-only event where he could satisfy both the pent-up demand for his hot dogs as well as do something good for his community of seniors.

“My grandmother lived with and died from Alzheimer’s, and I wanted to make a difference for some of our Bria residents who have been touched by the disease. Diane James, who I reported to in recreation, had the idea to connect with the Alzheimer’s Society of BC to host a Coffee Break event.”

Coffee Break^® is an event where friends, families and co-workers raise funds for research into the causes and cure for dementia, as well as support for local programs and services that help people, and their caregivers, live well with the disease.

The resulting event, Hot Dog Day at The Wexford, will happen on Saturday, the 26th of August from 11am to 2pm. “This fundraiser is for Myrtle,” says John. “Everyone’s invited, and I’d love to see all my regulars come see me and donate to this important cause.”

ONE DAY ONLY!

Dementia Care Fundraiser

Saturday, August 26 / 11am to 2pm
The Wexford, 1737 56 Street, Tsawwassen

Menu, by donation, includes:

Chicago Hot Dog
All-beef Nathan’s 8-inch hot dog, with imported green relish and sport peppers.

New York Hot Dog
A new variation on the classic, created just for this special event!

With French Fries, Onion Rings & Assorted Drinks.

PLUS Donate big to get a vintage Myrtle’s t-shirt! Limited quantity available.

Free Underground Parking. Drop-In Group Tours throughout the day.

Donations benefit Alzheimer’s Society of BC