By Ed Karvoski Jr., Contributing Writer
Hudson – The Hudson AMVEST Post 208 made special deliveries Christmas Day, Dec. 25, culminating its 26th season of Home Alone for the Holidays. Combined with Thanksgiving, over 900 turkey dinners with all the fixings were provided to area residents who otherwise might not have been able to observe the holidays.
Boy Scout Troop 77 members joined other volunteers in a well-organized assembly line and packaged the hot meals. Others delivered them to 10 communities including Hudson, Marlborough, Northborough and Southborough. Guests were also welcomed at the post and given a dinner.
This season’s event chair was Michael Geary, the post’s manager. He follows Past Commander Bill Rivers, who had organized the Home Alone program since 1996.
Wayne Korpi once again manned the kitchen Thanksgiving, then retired after 25 years. Filling that position for Christmas was James “T” Thibeault, assisted by longtime volunteers including Walter Spencer and his son Dave.
Helping on Thanksgiving were cadets of the Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps from Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School in Marlborough. They plan to return next Christmas.
The post also hosted its annual holiday luncheon Dec. 15 for about 30 patients who travelled from the Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital in Bedford. Among the AMVETS Post 208 Auxiliary members helping with the luncheon and/or Home Alone were President Patty McInnes, Pauline Hureau, Karen Miller and Past President Beverly Rivers.
Some food items for Home Alone are donated and others are purchased with monetary donations. Donors include nonprofit organizations, businesses and individuals. A major corporate sponsor again this season was Fourstar Connections in Hudson with 30 turkeys. The post held its first motorcycle ride as a Home Alone fundraiser last fall with plans to continue it annually.
Photos/Ed Karvoski Jr.