Community Corner

A Cornucopia of Thanksgiving Smiles at the Greenwich Boys & Girls Club

'For some it is the only Thanksgiving dinner they will have.'


You think you have logistical problems feeding a crowd for Thanksgiving?

For 11 years chef Alfredo Maldonado has been handling the logistics of feeding hundreds of hungry youngsters at the annual Thanksgiving dinner at the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich. 

On Tuesday, Nov. 26, the chef for Watson's Catering in Greenwich, was leading the charge of his staff who deftly carved 32 turkeys and turkey breasts — along with all the trimmings — for about 350 Greenwich youth at the club on Horseneck Lane. The savory smells of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy permeated the facility's gym where about three dozen community leaders stood poised to serve for some what would be their only Thanksgiving dinner.

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"It's a feeding frenzy...it's a nice thing to do for the kids who have a really good time," said Joe Siciliano, the director of Greenwich's Parks & Recreation Department. Siciliano pulled duty serving rolls and butter, and cranberry sauce to dozens of kids who lined up at one of four serving stations. "For some, this is the only Thanksgiving meal they will have," Siciliano added.

This year’s feast, in its 11th year, featured food from a cornucopia of sponsors and volunteers including Watson’s Catering, Bimbo Bakeries, Credit Suisse and Stew Leonard’s,  who all provided the food that included five gallons of fresh-made gravy and about 175 pounds of mashed potatoes.

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Other community leaders who volunteered to serve the dinner — which also included dozens of pumpkin and apple pies donated by Christina Johnson-Wolff — were former First Selectman Rebecca Breed, Fire Chief Peter Siecienski (who found the string beans were a tough sell), Police Chief James Heavey and Deputy Police Chief Mark Marino.

The holiday season will continue at the club on Dec. 14 when there will be a Pancakes with Santa breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. and a holiday party on Dec. 19, according to Don Palmer, the club's program director.

 


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