SOUTH DEERFIELD — Friendly conversation mingled with the tantalizing scent of simmering spaghetti sauce and boiling pasta around 5 p.m. Wednesday in the Polish American Club, during South County TRIAD’s 9th annual benefit dinner for local seniors.
“It’s a fundraiser so the seniors can afford oil this winter. It’s really important to give back to the community,” said Matt Carlson, lineman on Frontier Regional High School’s football team — he spent his 17th birthday volunteering — who along with other Red Hawks, served dinner and dessert.
Tickets were $10 each, and included a three-course spaghetti dinner, a raffle and a chance to socialize. Organizer and South County TRIAD President Sharyn Paciorek said the benefit was a huge success, guessing that ticket sales raised around $1,300.
“Amazing, amazing, we ran out of tickets!” Paciorek said, right before spaghetti was served by the Red Hawks, adding that the money will fund TRIAD programs for local seniors and help them obtain necessities like heating fuel, food and transportation.
Nancy Paciorek, who organized the raffle with Kim Baker, said the event was made possible by donations from local businesses and schools, including the recently reopened Jerry’s Place, which gave ice cream, and Chandler’s Restaurant, which provided the spaghetti.
The South County TRIAD is part of the Franklin County TRIAD. According to the organization’s website, the TRIAD “is a crime-prevention and wellness initiative aimed at protecting the safety and welfare of senior citizens throughout the county.”
Just outside the kitchen before dinner was served, Kade Gewanter, team captain and lineman, described the town’s elders as “the cornerstone of the community,” and said the team jumped at the chance to volunteer.
Standing next to Gewanter, Myles Freeman, fellow captain and team quarterback, said the dinner was also a chance to learn about the town’s history firsthand from the people who’ve experienced it.
Carrying round platters of spaghetti-filled plates and bowls of bread, the Red Hawks’ crimson uniforms stood out starkly amid the sea of more than 100 people — mostly local seniors — as they made their way around tables, serving food, shaking hands and pouring apple cider.
“They’re a wonderful asset to this spaghetti dinner. It’s just so nice to see them and they’re so congenial,” said local resident Pat Ciesla, who was seated at one of the round tables packed into the club’s community room.
“It’s nice they’re able to serve the elders, and they do a good job,” said longtime resident Peg Konieczny. “Many of us have been living here for over 50 years. Some, all of their lives.”
Frontier Regional High School football coach Don Gordon said his players are “a good group of young men. Besides football, they’re also good citizens.”
Guests in attendance included Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan, Franklin County Sheriff Christopher Donelan, Deerfield Police Chief John Paciorek Jr., TRIAD representatives who volunteered in the kitchen, and Montague Police K9 Sgt. Jim Ruddock — who drew the ticket for a raffle benefiting his dog, Artie.
“This is always a success. We’re here every year celebrating South County seniors,” Sheriff Donelan said over a plate of pasta, while seated next to Sullivan, who added that the local TRIAD is an asset to the region because it “does wonderful things in the community.”
Chief Paciorek said the event is also a chance for local law enforcement officers to connect with seniors, which is important because “they’re the eyes and ears of the community. They’re vital, and they’ve been around — that historical value is unsurpassed.”
Other Red Hawks football players who voluntarily served dinner included Brandon Trueswell, brothers Matt and Joey Hildreth, Jonathan Delaney, Seth Gewanter, Ryan Olmstead, Steven Worthley and Aaron Landry.
You can reach Andy Castillo
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On Twitter: @AndyCCastillo