Thanksgiving Begins Early at the Boys & Girls Club

The holiday weekend got underway two days early on Tuesday for hundreds of Glen Cove residents, on a typically crisp and windswept November night, at the 10th Annual Boys & Girls Club Thanksgiving dinner.

Families began streaming into the dining area, set up in the gym of the Club's facility on Glen Cove Avenue, right at the 5:30 p.m. opening for the dinner, which has become a decade-long tradition here in Glen Cove. 

"While many, if not most, of the attendees are children who are members of the club and their relatives, the dinner is free and open to the public," said Melissa A. Tierney, executive director of the . 

The night's dinner choices were stretched out along a seemingly endless connection of tables. The feast included turkey, of course, separated into dark- and light-meat trays; stuffing, potatoes, corn, salads, desserts and beverages. The rich aromas of Thanksgiving fare wafted over the trays of fixings, provided by Elegant Affairs on Glen Cove Avenue. Servers were members of the Club's Board of Directors, including Chairman Christine Pell, who has been on the board for 34 years. 

"The kids here needed help," Pell explained.  "I wanted to help.  And we've managed to keep a lot of kids off the street. We've also managed to attract so many kids, in fact, we sometimes have a problem with transportation."

The importance of participating with children at this level was echoed by Sergeant Jack McDougal, the community resource officer. 

"I got involved because I enjoyed being with the kids here and shooting baskets, although someone my age needs to think twice before he takes on a group of teenagers," McDougal said, as he ladled out gravy for the turkey and fixings. "I thought I could help with the homework, too; until I found out the kids knew more about math than I did."

Responsible business involvement in the local community has been a motivating factor for , as well. 

"We always try to support the local community," said Andrea Correale, founder of Elegant Affairs, which has provided the fixings for this feast the past 10 years. "The folks here needed these services and they really appreciate it. We are Glen Cove. They are Glen Cove. This is our chance to give something back."

Director Tierney had some brief opening remarks. Sergeant McDougal read a short invocation from Ralph Waldo Emerson, then the chow lines were open.  Thirty volunteers helped with the serving and other chores. Some 286 guests sat down to dinner. To state the obvious, a good time was had by all.