Op-Ed: Thank You For 'Reimagined' Senior Thanksgiving Dinner

The following was submitted as a letter to the editor by Representative Brad Jones and Senator Bruce Tarr thanking the those who helped during the Thanksgiving Dinner for North Reading seniors. If you would like to submit a letter to the editor, email samantha.mercado@patch.com.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped make this year’s “reimagined” North Reading Senior Citizen Thanksgiving Dinner on Sunday, November 22 such a resounding success.

Due to the health concerns and restrictions associated with COVID-19, we were unable to host North Reading’s seniors at our customary sit-down dinner, which has been a local holiday tradition for more than 40 years. Instead, we held a masked, socially-distanced drive-by event in the parking lot of Teresa’s Hillview Country Club to help ensure the safety of everyone who attended.

Thank you to Select Board members Stephen O’Leary, Kate Manupelli, Liane Gonzalez and Vincenzo Stuto for their help in distributing the festive holiday bags we prepared for our local seniors, which included a family size Thanksgiving pie; “pass the pie” dessert dishes; a quart of chicken soup; a loaf of scali bread; one pound of Dunkin’ coffee; fresh apples; ½ a dozen apple cider donuts; ½ a gallon of apple cider; a 2021 Reading Municipal Light Department commemorative calendar; a personal first aid kit; a grocery shopping tote; a personal size carry all tote; and disposable masks. The bag was a team effort, and we were fortunate to work with so many caring and generous sponsors and donors.

Our sincere thanks to Reading Cooperative Bank, The Savings Bank, Teresa’s Hospitality Group, MAI Dunkin' Donuts North Reading, the Scrivanos Family, The Farmland Market, Harrows Chicken Pies, Russell Orchards — Ipswich & the Reading Municipal Light Department for their generous donations and support. A special thank you to Mary Prenney, Director of Elder Services, the Edith O’Leary Senior Center staff and the North Reading Council on Aging for helping to coordinate this year’s drive-by event. We also want to thank the North Reading Police Department for directing traffic throughout the event.

As in years past, we encouraged those attending to bring canned goods and other food items to help restock the shelves of the North Reading Food Pantry. Once again, we were overwhelmed by the tremendous response we received from the community, whose generous donations will allow the food pantry to continue to help local families through these difficult times.

It is truly an honor for us to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season with those who have contributed so much to our community. We want to extend our best wishes for a safe and happy holiday season to all North Reading residents, and we hope to be able to return to our traditional seated dinner for next year’s event, which is scheduled for Sunday, November 21, 2021. Hope to see you there!

Sincerely,
Brad, Linda & Bruce
Representative Brad Jones & Linda Jones
Senator Bruce Tarr