Serving Up Thanksgiving Greenwich Style

Ariana Sandoval and Irulan Williams giggled with glee as they held colorful paper plates laden with an early Thanksgiving dinner — turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans and gravy.

The pair of 11-year-olds were among the more than 400 Greenwich youngsters who were treated to the 12th annual holiday dinner served up in the gymnasium of the Boys & Girls Club Greenwich (BGCG) Tuesday evening.

“I love that they do this every year,” Irulan said. Thanksgiving dinner is a favorite of Irulan’s. “It’s good to have a nice dinner with your family. You have more time to talk to each other than during the week when we’re busy with homework and everything,” she said.

For the past 12 years, dozens of community volunteers serve what BCGC Executive Director Bobby Walker Jr. said “is the only Thanksgiving dinner, the best meal some of these kids will have. This all about the importance of community. They know they’re part of something special.”

Walker told the volunteers before the gymnasium doors were opened to lines of children waiting for dinner to be served, “For you taking the time and the energy to be here reinforces that sense of community.”

The volunteers served up the dinner made from 28 turkeys, 50 pounds of mashed potatoes, 60 pounds of green beans, 30 pounds of stuffing and three gallons of gravy, all made by Watson’s Catering of Greenwich under the watchful eye of Executive Chef Alfredo Maldonado.

Volunteer Jim Santora served up dinner rolls and butter. “I come here two days a week to do homework with the kids. It’s all about the kids — this keeps me young.” Serving up cranberry sauce was BCGC board member Sally Lawrence. “This is one of the many wonderful things the club does and one of my two favorite things — the other is the pancake breakfast with Santa.”

With a ladle in hand, Police Chief James Heavey, who has volunteered at the dinner for 10 years, had gravy detail. “The kids to recognize that this is part of the community that cares for them. It’s a lot of fun — it’s one of those things that Thanksgiving is all about,” Heavey said.

The Rev. Thomas Nins of the First Baptist Church had duty at the dessert table where 41 apple and pumpkin pies were served up with whipped cream.

“This is one of the greatest traditions that we have that brings the community together in a safe, healthy environment,” Nins said. “There is no greater joy than the smile on a child’s face.”

And smiles were what it was all about for Ariana and Irulan. They said they couldn’t wait to have the apple pie for dessert.

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