On Saturday, June 22 Myrtle’s Famous Hot Dogs are back for one day only at The Wexford seniors community in Tsawwassen to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Society of BC.
It’s the third year for this unique partnership; last summer’s event saw 450 hot dogs fly off the grill and raised $4,200 for Alzheimer’s and dementia care. This year the goal is to raise $6,000.
John Meier, who owned and operated Myrtle’s Famous Hot Dogs cart for five years at the Tsawwassen Town Centre Mall, is confident his grandma Myrtle, who he named the cart for, would be proud.
“She would be delighted and it would have meant a lot to her,” says Meier, fondly remembering the woman who introduced him to the famous Coney Island hot dog.
The two were close, but at the age of 77, Myrtle died of Alzheimer’s.
“Dementia and Alzheimer’s touch everyone — we all have a friend, a family member, a neighbour living with this terrible illness,” says Meier.
He remains hopeful and believes the Alzheimer’s Society’s vision of a world without dementia isn’t that far off.
“There is excellent research going on, and they are starting to understand it — there could be a vaccine in the next 10 years.”
With a big goal in their sights, Meier and the team at The Wexford, where he is now part of the recreation team, are planning an event that’s bigger and better. Along with the artisan-crafted gourmet hotdogs, the event will feature circus performers, games and raffles, cotton candy and more.
The hotdog menu features Myrtle’s classic New York dog served with sauerkraut, mustard and fried onions, and the Chicago Dog, a delicious mix of super green relish, mustard, dill pickle spear, sweet onions, sports peppers and celery salt on a poppy seed bun.
This year, The Wexford’s chef Leif Soriano is throwing his hat in the ring with the SouthWex dog featuring homemade roasted corn salsa, queso fresco, crispy tortillas and avocado crema.
For a minimum $5 donation, customers get not only their gourmet dog, but also kettle chips and a soda. It’s a steal of a deal, and Meier urges people to give generously.
“Every penny we raise goes to research and education with the Alzheimer’s Society,” he says. “It’s a great hot dog for a great cause.”
The fundraiser will run from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The Wexford is at 1737-56th St.
