Author: Manuel F. Simoes

Submitted by: Roseanne (Ercolani) Cody

CHRISTMAS  DINNER IS SERVED.

APPROXIMATELY 45 YEARS AGO EVERETT ERCOLANI BEGAN THE GENEROUS TRADITION. OF  PREPAREING AND DELIVERING  DINNERS FOR THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS,  EASTER WAS ADDED ABOUT SIX YEARS AGO.

AS A LEADER  OF THE AMERICAN LEGION, EVERET ENLISTED FRIENDS, FAMILY AND FELLOW VETERANS TO HELP WITH THIS ENDEAVOR.

HIS FAMILY CONTINUES THE TRADITION.  HIS NIECE, ROSEANNE CODY, HER THREE CHILDREN; ANNMARIE,JACQUELINE, JAY, THEIR SPOUSES, AND THEIR CHILDREN HAVE VOLUNTEERED FOR 30 YEARS.

THIS PROGRAM SERVES LOCAL ELDERLY AND INDIVIDUALS IN NEED OF A HOT HOLIDAY MEAL.  SOME GUESTS CHOOSE TO  HAVE THEIR DINNER AT THE AMERICAN LEGION, JOINING FRIENDS AND FAMILY.. WHILE OTHERS CALL AND ORDER THEIR DINNERS TO BE DELIVERED TO THEIR HOMES.

THIS YEAR OVER 350 INDIVIDUALS BENEFITED FROM THIS PROGRAM.

ONE OF THE MOST REWARDING  BENEFITS OF DELIVERING MEALS IS THE JOY ON AN ELDERLY PERSON’S FACE WHEN A CHIILD HANDS THEM THEIR MEAL.

AN ELDERLY RESIDENT RECENTLY STATED. “YOU ARE THE ONLY VISITOR I WILL

HAVE TODAY.”    THIS WAS SAID  INNOCENTLY, BUY IMPACTED THE VOLUNTEER DELIVERING THE MEAL AS THEY SHARED THIS MOMENT TOGETHER..

VOLUNTEERS ARE ALWAYS NEEDED, CALL THE AMERICAN LEGION AND GIVE YOUR NAME.

Photo of  some of Everett Ercolani’s relatives  who carry on the tradition year after year.