Friends of the Westfield Senior Center

We have a plethora of milestones to celebrate in June so we held one big curbside luncheon bash, complete with live entertainment!  This month we honor fathers, grandfathers, godfathers, and father-figures.  Mayor Mike McCabe turns 60 and officially joins the ranks of Massachusetts ‘older adults.’  Executive Director Tina Gorman is Medicare-bound on her birthday in early June.  Karen Noblit will retire at the end of the month after almost 20 years of faithful service, helping Westfield’s seniors to navigate Medicare, Fuel Assistance, SNAP, and a variety of other life-saving benefits programs.  And in June we recognize the inclusionary efforts of Pride month.  The menu included barbequed pulled pork, macaroni salad, barbequed beans, and cornbread.  But wait!  We saved the best for last with a celebratory classic ice cream sundae for dessert!  And what would a celebration be without music?  As guests snaked their way through the parking lot, they rolled down windows to hear local favorites Richie Mitnick and Dave Colucci adding their musical flair to the festivities.  

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 ‘Beating the Winter Blahs’ Calendar Raffle Fundraiser

The ‘Friends of the Westfield Senior Center’ would like to spice up Westfield’s dreary New England winter with, not one, but 28 chances to get lucky!  During the month of January, the group is selling a special February calendar with a gift card prize for each day of the month.  So there will be 28 opportunities to win a gift card for Big Y, The Good Table, Rocky’s Ace Hardware, Two Rivers Burrito Co., Giftology, North Elm Butcher Block, Applebee’s, 99 Restaurant, T. J. Maxx, Dunkin, Pilgrim Candle, Moe’s Southwest Grill, and more.  The group will kick off the event with a bang on February 1.  On that day, the winner will win four tickets to see the explosive Springfield Thunderbirds hockey team.  The team is enjoying a phenomenal season and the winner can choose any game to attend.  The cost is $5 for a sheet of 25 tickets, so participants can potentially win more than once.  Tickets may be purchased at the Senior Center Greeter’s Desk, Monday through Friday, 9 to 10:30 a.m. and noon to 4 p.m.  Everyone is welcome to participate.

Sandy Adam is absolutely thrilled to be the winner of this year’s Lottery Ticket Holiday Fundraiser for 2021. The funds raised will be utilized by the Friends of the Westfield Senior Center to continue to improve the building and services at the Center.

Congratulations Sandy!

Holiday Gift Idea ~ Giving Tree Leaf 

The ‘Friends of the Westfield Senior Center’ Giving Tree is located in the hall outside of the Fitness Room on the first floor.  Individual leaves can be purchased ‘in memory of’ or ‘in honor of’ a loved one, as a thank you, or simply as a personal donation.  Each leaf costs $100 and is inscribed with a name and/or short message.  A Giving Tree leaf makes a wonderful holiday gift, especially for those who have benefitted from Senior Center services, programs, or activities.  Giving Tree forms are available at the Greeter’s Desk or the form can be mailed or e-mailed to anyone who wishes to make a donation.  The form allows space for the donor to provide the information exactly as he or she would like it to appear on the Giving Tree leaf.  Leaves are fairly small so wording should be kept short.    

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Cops for a Cause Curbside Chili Luncheon

Held on September 15, 2021

A Westfield Police Department/Senior Center partnership to raise funds for our local Alzheimer’s Association.Wearing purple, the color of Alzheimer’s awareness.

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A Curbside Celebration of Fathers at the Westfield Senior Center

Fathers, grandfathers, godfathers, and father-figures were recently honored at the Westfield Senior Center with a curbside ‘Picnic Fare’ luncheon, complete with a Dad-size classic ice cream sundae for dessert.

#1  Sharon & Frank Tompkins enjoy a picture-perfect day.
#2  Curtis Tuttle is all smiles and ready for his ice cream sundae.
#3 Anita & Roger Cox anticipate a mouth-watering picnic lunch. 
#4  Harold Jelley tried out his new ‘wheels’ for the first time.
#5  Richard Deaton arrived in his custom roadster.
#6  Karolyn & David Lynch dropped their face masks to flash a smile. 
#7  Wayne Aunchman patiently waits his turn. 
#8  Frank Kamlowski with his ride-along best friend.

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Westfield Senior Center Says, ‘Good Riddance 2020!’

Westfield Senior Center participants helped to put 2020 in the history books with a ‘Good Riddance 2020!’ New Year’s Eve curbside roast beef dinner.  Participants are looking forward to a brighter and healthier 2021.

Sharon Dominik shows off her fancy New Year’s Eve manicure.

Joni Charron gives a thumbs up to 2021.

Curtis Tuttle displays the party horn and gold napkin that each participant received.

Marianne Blackstone is beaming behind her face mask.

Sharon and Frank Tompkins sported matching face masks for the special occasion.

Joelle Thibodo loves the idea of a fresh start in 2021.

Former COA staff member Fran Aguda with her husband, Dan.

Tom Sgroi waves goodbye to 2020.  Good riddance!

  Back Row:  Senior Safety Officer, Mark Carboneau; Senator John Velis; COA Director, Tina Gorman

            Front Row: Senior Benefits Coordinator, Karen Noblit; Volunteer, Barbara Martone; Program Director, Mary Lou Niedzielski

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Lottery fundraiser benefits the Friends of the Westfield Senior Center

Click the above link for original story

(This article is provided by The Westfield News)

WESTFIELD – The city’s older adults continue to utilize the Westfield Senior Center and Council on Aging during the pandemic.

From curbside lunches and outdoor events to assistance by phone, the Center has remained active as much as possible said Director Tina Gorman. The Center remains financially viable, however the Friends of the Senior Center, which provides programming and “extras,” has had to cancel some events that benefit the group.

One of the biggest events of the year, the Holiday Gala, was canceled this year. The Friends group benefits each year from a lottery raffle during the Gala. Gorman said this year, the lottery fundraiser will be curbside and the holiday celebrations will also continue as a drive-up event.

“The lottery ticket fundraiser was typically held during our annual Holiday Gala. As we have done with other special events during the past seven months, we’re adding some fun to our curbside meal program,” Gorman said. “Perhaps working around the pandemic will result in the creation of some new Senior Center traditions.”

This year, the Friends of the Westfield Senior Center will be holding a special drawing with the winner receiving a Christmas box filled with both holiday giving, as well as receiving, in mind. Among the gift bags and tags, scotch tape, tissue paper and boxed Christmas cards, there will be $100 worth of lottery tickets. The cost is $5 for a sheet of 25 tickets. Tickets may be purchased during the daily curbside meal pickup Nov. 9 – 25.  The winning name will be drawn on Thanksgiving Day and the person will be notified on Monday, Nov. 30.

Gorman asked that purchasers have their money, with exact change, ready if they wish to participate. Those who would like to purchase tickets but are not getting a lunch should plan to arrive at the Senior Center between 11:30 and 11:45 a.m. when meal pickup is ending and the line moves quickly

“The lottery is absolutely open to the public,” Gorman noted.

The mission of the Friends group is to expand and enhance Council on Aging programs and services. Gorman said during the pandemic, the Friends group has provided funds for a wide variety of both entertainment as well as fitness classes on Channel 15.

“They also funded a new beverage center which was installed in the Senior Center Great Room last month.  Senior Center participants will have several new beverage choices to look forward to when we open the doors to the public again down the road,” said Gorman.

Gorman said keeping Senior Center costs down is a priority.

“As much as possible, we have always tried to keep our programs and services affordable for the city’s older adults,” she said. “The noon meal remains at the pre-COVID $3 price, despite the added cost of the to-go containers. I have written a few grants to help with those costs. The area where we’ve struggled is fitness.”

Gorman said fitness participants pay a nominal fee for classes at the Senior Center and that is a break-even arrangement for the Center.

“During the pandemic, we have worked closely with the city’s Media Systems Specialist Pete Cowles to get as much fitness programming on our local cable channel as possible. Many seniors are taking advantage of the these programs in the comfort of their own homes and at no charge to them,” Gorman said. “The Friends group has helped tremendously by paying the instructors for their efforts. Starting this month, we have seven different fitness programs on Westfield’s cable Channel 15. There is at least one class offered daily every day of the week, including weekends.”

Gorman said the community can help by supporting the lottery raffle and through a Lifetime membership to the Friends of the Westfield Senior Center. The cost is $100 per individual. For more information on the Friends group, contact Gorman at 413-562-6435.

Westfield Senior Center’s ‘Moolicious’ Curbside Ice Cream Splurge.

In an effort to bring some old fashioned summertime fun back to the Westfield Senior Center, staff teamed up with ‘Moolicious’ Ice Cream owner Joe Deedy for a cold and creamy treat on one of the hottest days of the year.  Event sponsor Matt Garlo, Senator John Velis, and a crew of dedicated volunteers assisted the Senior Center staff with the much anticipated ‘Moolicious’ Curbside Ice Cream Splurge.

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Photos feature:

 COA Kitchen Assistant, George Sfakios and Food Services Coordinator, Joann Boucher package the meals. Volunteer Gary Gorman and event sponsor, Matt Garlo plan the traffic flow strategy. Senator John Velis poses with volunteers Nick Niedzielski and Elizabeth Navareau. COA Building Maintenance Craftsman, Alex Hibert assists with traffic duty. Senator Velis chats with Joyce Jutkus. COA Companion Program Coordinator, Joyce Peregrin with Moolicious owner Joe Deedy and volunteer, Harry Rock. COA staff members and volunteers gather ‘round Joe Deedy and his popular summertime Moolicious ice cream truck. Ardelle Zych

Sharon and Frank Tompkins, Ruth Ferreira and Ed Paquette, Joelle Thibodo, Marianne Blackstone and her Uncle Richard Curran, Betty Sykes, Ginny Hebert,  John Fisher, Volunteer Gary Gorman