Elders treated to special holiday dinner

Elders in Akwesasne were invited to a free holiday dinner last Thursday put on for them by the St. Regis Recreation Committee. Every year, one recreation center in Akwesasne invites the elders for a meal and entertainment.

More than 100 elders accepted the invitation and few regretted it, as they gushed over what a nice time and meal they had.

At around 11 a.m. the elders began arriving to the elaborately decorated St. Regis Recreation Centre. Since it was raining, two young boys were sent out with umbrellas to escort every elder to the building. They did this with smiles on their faces and the elders were much appreciative.

Once inside a rocking chair and fireplace were set up in the foyer and each elder had his or her photo taken, either alone or with another elder. These photos were printed off and placed into greeting card frames and delivered back to the elders (or mailed to them.)

Once inside the main room, the elders found a place to sit and were then greeted by the most enthusiastic volunteers. Students in grades 7 & 8 from Kana:takon School volunteered their afternoon off of school to help run the elder’s dinner. They wore Santa hats as they delivered coffee and tea to all the elders, and later they served the guests a free prime rib dinner.

Throughout the socializing portion of the event, the Little River Mohawks performed. The Kana:takon School students got on the dance floor with the elders – many of whom were their grandparents or great-grandparents – and they learned to dance to the style of the elders. The room was amused and enlightened by the mixing of ages.

Arnold Jock cooked a delicious meal that was enjoyed by the elders who were still amazed that they didn’t have to pay for their meal. The St. Regis Recreation paid for the event, with $500 assistance from the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, and afterwards, the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe donated $2500 to the recreation just for that event.

Following the meal, the little elves of Kana:takon students brought out gift bags for every single elder in attendance. The St. Regis Recreation Committee had shopped through every Wal-Mart gift section in the vicinity to buy gifts. The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe also donated gift certificates of $10 to IGA.

“You should have seen their faces,” said committee member Laura Thompson.

TJ Jackson was recruited to perform his Elvis show, which was a hit. A younger Elvis also performed and was a hit with the Kana:takon School students.

Members of Mohawk Council helped to pull the event off as well as other volunteers who came to the event or helped to set up for it in the days before.

The elders left the event with smiles on their faces, thanking the organizers for hosting it.