By Kathy Lopez
For more than 50 years CCW has been preparing the Table. What table? St. Joseph’s Table and this year we are fortunate to have it on the day, March 19. How do we get the table set? With the women from CCW and many others volunteering their time to help.
This Table will not set itself. Preparations began in January with our chair Madeline Spinello and her co-chair Margaret Leabru making sure committee leads are in place.
Michele Miller begins by reaching out to our local merchants for donations for food or gifts. Valerie Calvente and her team, Dorothy Jaskey and Sherry Hagedorn, follow up with phone calls to confirm the donation and arrange for pickup. Once donations are confirmed, a volunteer calls on the merchant to pick up their contribution for the event.
How do we let the public know we’re having our St. Joseph’s Table? publicity is Kate Rodman’s task. She provides the information to the local newspapers, city websites and this includes the village signs.
As we get closer to the day, Pat Baker and Rosemary Smylie take inventory of the paper goods and supplies needed to serve 300 or more people. During our general meeting, all CCW members help support the efforts by filling the bags that hold the prayer card and fava bean.
With the donations from our merchants and CCW members, Ann Gazda, Valerie Calvente and Cathy Medearis create baskets filled with goodies to be raffled. Check them out, you may find one that really catches your eye, and go home with a great prize.
St. Joseph’s Table is all about the food. Linda Brauer with Mary Jo Staszak, Kim Rogers, lead the kitchen team of volunteers. Once the menu is decided and food secured, preparation begins the day before and continues through the end of the event.
As you come to the Table, Sharon Zappa and her team greet you with their smiles, offer you a bag containing a fava bean, a prayer card, a brief history of St. Joseph Table, and crust of bread. A free-will donation is your admission.
Kathy Lopez will manage the serving crew who serve you and the food trays will always be replenished. Donna Stephenson is in charge of the beverages. Dorothy Jaskey and Gloria Hagedorn will make sure you have plenty of sweets to choose to top off your meal at the dessert table.
Look around the Ministry Center at the signs throughout the room. CCW acknowledges the merchants who generously donate to our St. Joseph’s Table. These signs are created by Mary Ellen Graf. (Remember to please support our donors).
Your donation and profits from the raffles support the Neighborhood Food Pantry and PADS. Join us as we celebrate our 55th St. Joseph’s Table on March 19 in the Ministry Center. Come.
