To the Editor:

Massena Meals on Wheels extends a heartfelt thanks to our community members for their overwhelming support during our annual fundraisers held September 29. Total funds raised were over $30,000, far exceeding our goal, through our combined spaghetti meal and Stock the Pot, and the many generous community donations.

Many businesses and individuals helped make our fundraisers a great success. Special thanks to Cathy and Shawna Cecot for sharing their famous meatball and sauce recipe served at the Village Inn. Many thanks to Subway, Massena, for providing their subs for our clients’ lunch. Meal contributions were provided by BJ’s, Price Chopper, Walmart, Renzi, Smith Farms, Pepsi, White’s Farm Market, and Valley Paper. Hats off to MOW board member Margo Rochefort for her gourmet cupcakes. Also, thank you to Ann Keanan and Rosalie Hamel for tallying donations and recording results.

Great publicity was provided by WMSA/Mix 96.1 Radio in reminding the community to support Massena MOW. Thanks once again to Bob Beckstead for publicity provided in the local newspapers, the Free Trader and North Country Now for spreading the word in helping to keep our wheels rolling, and to Dale Woods for setting up a road sign to attract drivers’ attention.

Stock the Pot was a huge success. Thank you to the many volunteers who manned the road filling our pots with donations. A special thanks to Northern NY Community Foundation, who offered a matching donation as a kick-off incentive. Challenge accepted and the community stepped forward and surpassed our goal of collecting $2,500 by noon. Elijah Winfrey, from WMSA/Mix 96.1 Radio, joined Stock the Pot to broadcast and encourage drivers to make donations. A sincere thanks to each person for your donation, large or small.

The Massena MOW Board of Directors would also like to extend thanks to our staff, Sister Cindy and Stacie Sweet, assisting in making the day such a success, and special friends of MOW kitchen crew Chuck Raiti, Mike Darling, Cathy Dix, Angie Mapes, Josie Post, and Cathy Faucher who deserve a huge thank you for their hours preparing the meal.

Another group of Friends of Massena MOW arrived early to help prepare our meal and complete an overwhelming task in a short time. Special thanks to Cathy Dix, Angie Mapes, Linda LePage, Angele LePage, Barb Sanford, Kathy Russell, and Nancy Brothers. Thanks also to Chuck Raiti and Mike Darling for mixing, setting up, and the extra jobs needed to put this day of fundraising together.

Thank you to all the businesses, service clubs, organizations, groups, and individuals for your support. We could not keep our wheels rolling without your continued support. Thank you all.

The Massena Meals on Wheels
Board of Directors