WESTFIELD-Friday morning was a “big deal” in Tina Gorman’s eyes at the Westfield Senior Center – for two important reasons.
Gorman welcomed Dr. Alice Bonner, secretary of the Executive Office of Elder Affairs for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, who received a tour of the center and helped out in the kitchen as Alan Sudentas, a long-time volunteer, wrapped up his last “Alan’s 2 for $2 Pancake Breakfast” fundraiser.
Dr. Alice Bonner, secretary of the Executive Office of Elder Affairs for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, helped in the kitchen Friday morning as Alan Sudentas served the last of the pancakes for a fundraiser breakfast.
“We welcome Dr. Bonner and this is a big deal for the city having her visit,” said Gorman, who serves as director of the Westfield Council on Aging. “Dr. Bonner is here because she wanted to recognize Westfield as the first dementia friendly community on the East Coast, thanks in part to the efforts of Beth Cardillo of Armbrook Village.”
Gorman noted that Cardillo is on a “crusade” to educate the public about those living with dementia and some of her training classes have included the Council on Aging staff and the first responders of the Westfield Fire Department.
Dr. Bonner spoke with city residents and some of the city’s elected officials on the importance of accelerating dementia friendly communities across the state and noted that Westfield can be used as a “vibrant resource” for others who are seeking to implement similar initiatives.
“You can feel the energy in this building and with the people,” said Bonner.
As the program progressed the spotlight was squarely on Sudentas as he received certificates from several elected officials including Mayor Brian P. Sullivan, State Sen. Donald F. Humason, Jr., and State Rep. John C. Velis.
State Sen. Donald F. Humason, Jr. presented a certificate of thanks to Alan Sudentas who has spent the last three years flipping pancakes as a fundraiser to purchase new furniture for the Westfield Senior Center cafeteria.
An overall message of friendship permeated the messages that Sudentas received from those who spoke to congratulate him on his past three years of fundraising to purchase new furniture for the Westfield Senior Center’s cafeteria.
Of course, the pancakes were also a hit with the more than 100 people who attended the event.
For Marylyn Smith, Sudentas’ blueberry pancakes were “delicious,” and Robert Merriman who also volunteers at the senior center remarked “the pancakes were outstanding.”
When Sudentas was asked to say a few words he was practically speechless.
“This was the largest pancake breakfast to date,” said Sudentas, adding “Thank you to everyone who came.”
Sudentas joked to Gorman that with the sale of all of these pancakes Friday morning, perhaps it is now time for the center’s addition which caused laughter to ripple through the cafeteria.
Robert Merriman and Marylyn Smith were among the more than 100 attendees of the final “Alan’s 2 for $2 Pancake Breakfast” at the Westfield Senior Center on Friday morning.
When it was time to start cleaning up the grills that had been instrumental for serving so many pancakes over the past three years, Sudentas had mixed emotions.
“With everyone coming out to support this last pancake breakfast it makes you feel real special,” said Sudentas, adding, “Which makes me wish it wasn’t the last one.”
