Spaghetti dinner and movie, a warming community event

Turley Publications Reporter By Ruth M. Lyon

NORTH BROOKFIELD – Bob Bishop and his wife, Rae, stood close to the head of the line waiting to be served a plate of spaghetti and meatballs. This is not a fancy meal; the plates are made of paper, the plastic forks and knives wrapped in flimsy paper napkins. But this couple, along with the 150 patrons behind them, are pleased and proud to be standing in line at the elementary school, waiting for members of the Hayden Lodge of Masons to pass them that simple meal. They’ll enjoy it, seated with friends and neighbors at round tables in the school cafeteria. As they share the simple camaraderie of home and neighboring town folk, they’ll possibly purchase a raffle ticket or five, not so much because they really expect to win a radio, a delivery of oil, a jewelry gift certificate, or even the fifty-fifty; they know every dollar they spend will go toward a very special and very local cause. One raffle winner turned her win back in, to be drawn again.

I’ve always lived in North Brookfield. This is my town, I’m proud to say, and I believe in supporting any group that helps the town. I never miss a benefit if I can manage to be here,” Bob smiled, as Rae nodded in agreement. The event, according to PTA member and Hearts for Heat’s moving force Sue Lewandowski, was the continuation of a plan that began last year, when the group was new. Once the committee of seven or eight members decided to form a Hearts for Heat chapter, they organized events, along with solicitations of seed money from local banks and businesses, to support it. Since that time, the group has, on its own and in conjunction with other community organizations, raised funds sufficient to assist several families in need of a delivery of fuel oil. The familiar Hearts for Heat logo may be noted at events large and small. The workers are all volunteers, and the message is simple- help keep someone warm this winter.

Familiar faces are usually seen at these events – Michelle Petraitis, the group’s new president, is a founding  member; Ellen Smith is another stalwart volunteer for this and other town causes.  Pat and Joe Zagarra are active volunteers. Pat knits a scarf every day, the attractive scarves are sold at every charitable event, and the proceeds help to warm someone’s home. Charlotte Hoogasian, age 85, organized and served, with the help of friends, a corned beef and cabbage dinner at Christ

Episcopal Memorial Church, raising $500 for Hearts for Heat. Robert LaFlamme, owner of Crowley Fuel, was instrumental in forming this town’s group and Louise Bouchard, Senior Center Director, assists applicants in a myriad of ways.

Petraitis and Lewandowski note that North Brookfield is now a separate chapter, with its own 501-C3 (tax deductible) designation. “Credit belongs to so many

people and organizations, we just can’t name them all. The Hayden Lodge of Masons just said they wanted to help; they’re the cooks and servers tonight.

The KICK group from the Congregational Church did clean-up. Hannafords Supermarket donated much of the food, this is just a great town,” Lewandowski said.

Evident among the guests, aside from healthy appetites for the spaghetti, sausage, meatball, salad, bread and brownies that disappeared in astonishing quantities, was the obvious enjoyment in the family atmosphere and entertainment. The supper was $7 per person, with a family maximum of $20 for a family of four. The Disney movie, GForce, was free.

 It was an easy decision, Lewandowski said, to combine the annual P.T.A. benefit dinner with the “Hearts” effort. “We’re all in this together; we’re in a small town, working with similar goals: to be the best we can be, in school and at home. The P.T.A assists the school in numerous ways, doing what the school can’t do on its own in the way of small needs, field trips and such. And the Hearts for Heat helps out at home. One delivery of 125 gallons of oil isn’t much, but it can make a huge difference in midwinter.” If you live in town and cannot afford heat (oil, propane, natural gas, electric, pellets, or cord wood) you may apply for assistance. Call for an application at 508-867-0220, or contact Louise at: louise@heartsforheat.org. If you would like to donate to the cause, check payable to Hearts for Heat (write North Brookfield Chapter on the memo line) and mail to: Hearts for Heat, North Brookfield chapter; Louise Bouchard, c/o North Brookfield Senior Center; 29 Forest St; North Brookfield, MA 01535.