Greenwich Commission on Aging, Senior Center Host “Chef Teddy’s Drive-Thru BBQ”for Older Adults

On Friday, July 10, Lori Contadino, the Director of the Greenwich Commission on Aging, and her team, arranged a free lunch in the form of a a Drive-Thru BBQ featuring Chef Teddy, the daily Chef at the Greenwich Senior Center.

Most members hadn’t seen Teddy and the rest of the Senior Center staff since they closed in March, due to the pandemic.

The staff has been working tirelessly to help all Greenwich Older Residents to remain engaged, healthy and happy. They have been offering digital classes and events but this was the first in-person opportunity to see each other.

It was a happy lunchtime as a safely-masked Chef Teddy and his helpers had the grill smoking, flipping burgers and hot dogs, sometimes under umbrellas when it drizzled. First Selectman, Fred Camillo, stopped by to wave hello and greet some of the members as they drove through. Senior Center staff and volunteers packed potato salad, watermelon, cole slaw,
beverages and cupcake desserts. Cars drove through at their designated times, to avoid congestion and horns honked, waving, chatting from a distance. Some members walked through, waiting at socially distanced spaces. Everyone was so glad to see each other it was quickly decided to organize another drive thru lunch in the near future.

As life in Greenwich is slowly, carefully, beginning to open up, it is still important for the more vulnerable Older Adults to try to remain at home and self-isolate as much as possible. The Greenwich Senior Center continues to remain closed to reduce their risk of exposure and remain safe. Unfortunately, many members miss the social interaction, lunchtime, and classes with friends as well as the support from the staff. Social distance does not mean that we have to socially disconnect. In fact, maintaining social connection has important implications for health and wellbeing.

If you are an older resident of Greenwich, here are more ways for you to connect:

Daily Phone Calls From a Friendly Volunteer
Older adults can receive a free daily phone call from a friendly Greenwich Country Day School family who has been assigned to them. Connect, chat, check-in. Email [email protected] or call (203) 863-5653.

Get Technology Help
For older adults who need free, basic, one-on-one help with their computer, smartphone or laptop, they can sign up and a Greenwich Country Day School volunteer will contact them to assist. Email [email protected] or call (203) 863-5653.

To connect to a free live Zoom session for Older Adults:
The CONNECTT program is a collaborative effort with Greenwich Country Day School and offer daily programs on your computer, tablet or phone.

For the Daily Schedule and to click to connect, go to the Greenwich Commission on Aging website page on the Town of Greenwich website:
https://www.greenwichct.gov/190/Commission-on-Aging

Lori Contadino (Director), Laurette Helmrich, First Selectman Fred Caillo, Maria Higbie, Lynn Mason, Deana salerno, Patricia Burns (Board Chair). contributed photo
Grilling on the front lawn at 299 Greenwich Ave. contributed photo
Drive through pick-up. contributed photo