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SENIORS AND VOLUNTEERS ENJOY ANNUAL THANKSGIVING DINNER
By Joseph Kienzlen
 | | Photo By Joseph Kienzlen Volunteers of all ages worked side-by-side at this year's annual Senior Center Thanksgiving Dinner. (L-R) Nick Kafton, 10, and Rotary Club President Pat McGoohan prepare over 100 meals for the seniors throughout the township. |
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The large room in the Melvin Cottrell Senior/Disabled Center was decorated with paintings and crafts made by the seniors who have dubbed the facility their home away from home for years. During the week dozens of Jackson seniors enjoy activities like shooting pool, making crafts, luncheons and dances.
But every Thanksgiving the center becomes more than that, as tables are set, vibrant autumn flowers brighten the room and the aroma of the holidays drifts throughout the building.
This year was no exception as dozens of community volunteers relinquished their morning and faced the morning's cold mist to make the day special for the township's seniors, who were there to enjoy the warmth of friendship and the joy in sharing the annual holiday feast.
For almost 20 years, Janice Conner, Senior Center Director, has diligently spent days before Thanksgiving preparing hundreds of pounds of turkey, mountains of potatoes and gallons of gravy for the annual dinner.
The holiday dinner, an idea by then Handicapped Commission member Roy Weber, has been going strong since 1987, the first year the center was opened. Connor took over the responsibilities the following year and has watched it blossomed into a wonderful holiday event.
"We had the largest group of volunteers we've ever had this year. It was a great success," Connor said after the event. "It's such a nice feeling seeing all the young volunteers take such an interest in their community. The seniors enjoy talking to them and they all seemed just so enthusiastic. It was just like a visit at home."
And home is exactly what the volunteers bring to the table with amenities like holiday goodies and personal service and attention before, during and after dinner.
Connor thanked the Jackson Rotary Club
for "taking a lot of the pressure off." She
estimated this year's dinner count at 130. "Pretty good for someone who didn't even
know how to cook a turkey when I began this," she said.
Staffing the kitchen, delivering meals or just offering an ear were members of the Jackson Rotary Club, who have volunteered at the dinner for a number of years.
This year's president, Pat McGoohan, said in addition to helping to prepare and serve during the day, many of the club's members participate in delivering meals to those seniors who where unable to make it to the center.
"It provides a nice, warm feeling for all of
us to kick off our Thanksgiving Day as we
go back to share it with our families," he said. "This is another wonderful opportunity for us to participate and give back to the community."
Jackson's council president, Angelo Stallone said, "I'd like to personally thank all the organizations represented here today, the Jackson residents and all the volunteers for coming out to serve our seniors" he said.
For members of the DiGesu family, the day was so much more than just serving meals.
"I was very happy that my family all consented to help out at the senior center," said Kathy Bott-DiGesu. "It touched me deep inside and I was so proud of them helping out without a fight. It turned out to be something that they want to do again next year. I think this experience helped to bring to them a sense of community and the reality that not all people have someone to care for them, to help them and in general to just talk with them."
Husband Kevin DiGesu and daughters Cori and Alyssa Bott made the day a family affair, a day that may become a tradition.
"Being part of this Thanksgiving dinner was the most amazing experience of my life. It was so rewarding to be able share it with my family," Alyssa said after returning from her delivery. "It was so nice to meet with the woman I had to deliver food to. I really enjoyed talking to her. She was very happy but being there was a little sad too."
Fifteen-year-old Cori added, "It really made it feel like Thanksgiving, knowing that you are helping people in need. Thanksgiving is not just about giving thanks but sharing whatever you have, in this case, sharing yourself."
For former mayor Mike Kafton, spending the day at the Senior Center has become a large part of his (and his family's) Thanksgiving.
"Once again, I had the pleasure, and I might add, the honor, to volunteer at the Senior Center serving our seniors their Thanksgiving dinner," Kafton said shortly after dessert was served. "My specific job is that of potato masher. I've been doing this for almost 10 years and every time that I spend the day at the center, I learn something new from the long and rich memories of our seniors."
"For me personally, there is something extra special that I receive; my three boys, Mike, 13, Ben and Nick, 10, are by my side serving the meal and they get to see how far a little time goes in helping other people," Kafton said. "In fact, Nick said he really liked mashing potatoes and he thinks he might even take over (mashing) in a couple of years. So, being a humble potato masher at the Jackson Senior Center on Thanksgiving Day, has been a hugely rewarding job."
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