BHS Students Host Senior Citizens for Thanksgiving Dinner

On Thanksgiving eve, Bloomfield High School hosted its traditional senior citizen-student dinner.  It was, by all accounts, delicious and enjoyable.   

“It’s a true community event,” said BHS teacher, Casey Newman, one of the event organizers.  “Every year it’s my favorite event – well, that and the volleyball marathon.”

About 100 Bloomfield residents from local senior citizens groups attend the event each year, which takes place in the high school cafeteria and is hosted by the school’s community service organization, the Key Club.

“We’ve been coming here since our first grandchild was in Key Club,” smiled Ted Spieczynski, who along with wife Marie, has been a Bloomfield resident since 1960.  “I think the boys and girls do an excellent job.” 

Granddaughter Justine Lancaster, now a Bloomfield High School senior, came over to join her grandparents at the table.  She said she enjoyed having them visit her school.

“My six grandchildren graduated from here,” said Spieczynski proudly.  “Now our last one is graduating.”

The other diners were equally enthusiastic about the event, which serves a hearty Thanksgiving meal to anyone who attends, courtesy of Bella Casa in Belleville.

“It’s my first time here, but I think everyone is very nice,” declared Bloomfield resident Marie Conforti while Sheila Pollydore said, “It’s very nice indeed.  I’ve been coming here for many years.  It’s always a pleasure.”

BHS teachers Newman and Lou Cappello said the longstanding BHS tradition benefits seniors, students and the community. 

“The Key Club in Bloomfield has been doing this for about thirty years, maybe longer.  I’ve been organizing this for about six years now,” said Cappello.  “It’s different now because in the past they used to cook the food here, in the ovens of the home economics rooms.  But the world has changed, and now you have issues of liability.  So we just have it catered.”  He added that Bella Casa provides all the food and supplies at a very reasonable discounted price.

“We ordered more food than last year and we still ran out,” marveled Cappello.  “We always run out of food.  We ordered 140 servings and 95-100 people were here.  But they want leftovers.”

Both teachers agreed that the tradition gives everyone involved a lot more than a hot meal.  Newman said many of the students who participate in Key Club activities raise money for charity but never get to see the direct result of their efforts. 

“This way they can really see who it goes to.  The kids work hard for this,” he said.   

BHS Key Club member Tom Noll was handing out the students' handmade flower arrangements to diners at the end of the meal.  He commented, “It’s good having all the seniors here.  It’s nice to help them get together.  It’s nice to help people who might not be as privileged.”

The annual Thanksgiving meal for seniors is such an important tradition that it draws returning BHS alumni each year.  As Newman spoke, several students who graduated from last year ran up to give him a hug or a handshake. 

“This is good for the students, to give something to people who really need their help,” said Newman.  “A lot of people might not have a family at home to talk to on Thanksgiving,” said Newman.  “They’re part of the local senior citizens groups.  They need a little something extra.  A lot of them you feel bad for.  They seem eager to get here for a warm meal.”

Krystin Rodriguez, a junior, agreed.  “It nice to help other people,” she said.  “One woman said thank you so much.  She just kept saying thank you.”