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Classics roll to acute care residents
• Ceres Post Acute Care facility hosts special event for residents
Enrique Cadena
Resident Enrique Cadena gives the thumbs up to a collection of classics brought to Ceres Post Acute Care facility on Richland Avenue. - photo by Jeff Benziger

Community minded owners of classic cars from Ceres and Modesto gave up a portion of a very hot Friday afternoon to treat residents of Ceres Post Acute Care facility to a private showing.

Some of the 49 residents braved the scorching near triple-digit heat to enjoy root beer floats while checking out at classics such as a 1953 Chevy Bel-Air and a 1940 Packer sedan.

The skilled nursing facility – formerly known as Hale Aloha Convalescent Hospital – tries to schedule routine activities for residents.

Mario Amador of Modesto said he and others like to take their classic beauties to different events, including rest homes.

“We try to do what we can for the community,” said Amador. “We have an organization we call So-Low Cholos.”

Member Manuel Flores, who owns a 1939 Master 85 said the group is “not a car club – it’s just a bunch of guys who have nice rides and just want to have a good time and help out.”

Flores restored his car little by little starting 20 years ago.

Phil and Rose Martinez of Ceres brought their 1931 Chevy to the event.

The group usually can be found at the Sonic Drive-In on McHenry Avenue in Modesto every Friday evening after 7:30 p.m.

“When we planned this we had no idea that it was going to be this hot,” said Activities director Nancy Chanthavong.

Because residents don’t get a lot of visitors, Chanthavong likes to schedule activities for them, such as exercise, parties, karaoke, movies, shopping outings, board games, Bible studies, discussions and Sunday worship.

“It’s hard for them to go out so we try to bring things in,” said Chanthavong.


Chanthavong
Activities director Nancy Chanthavong wheels Jerry Costner out to see the beautiful old cars brought to the parking lot of the Ceres Post Acute Care facility. - photo by Jeff Benziger
Root beer floats
Activities director Nancy Chanthavong hands out root beer floats to residents and those who brought in cars. - photo by Jeff Benziger