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By Katrina Margolis
Hometown Weekly Reporter
The last holiday event the Westwood Council on Aging hosted was as festive as they come. Their Thanksgiving Luncheon was decorated to the nines, the hall filled to what seemed like capacity. However, the annual Holiday Party proved that the COA is never to underestimated when it comes to holiday cheer. The Holiday Party was sold out, and the COA had to open an extra room filled with tables and chairs to accommodate all of their guests. With a harpist in the corner, a Christmas tree behind offerings of hot chocolate and coffee, and a Santa wandering around proclaiming, “Ho, Ho, Ho!” the festivities were overflowing with joy.
The party was sold out, and the room was filled to the brim.
Lina Arena-DeRosa, Director of the Council on Aging, ran around helping the show flow smoothly. The Director of Sales at Brookdale Dedham was one of the volunteers. “We actually sponsored half of this event! I’ve been with Brookdale for about a year and a half, but I came to it last year when I just started and it was so much fun,” she said. “I actually just hired a new sales associate and I dragged her along and she’s like, ‘oh my god, this is great!’”
In addition to the food, there was a raffle as well, with baskets provided by local businesses. “I did a professional wreath-making class last night and I had an extra wreath, so I decorated and made it so they can raffle it off,” the Brookdale Director said. In terms of the duties of volunteers? “We come here and Lina says ‘This is what you’re doing.’ We just kind of intermingle, help serve the drinks, if people can’t get up and get their plates then I go over and help them.”
The food smelled delicious, and the decorations sparkled as individuals mingled and socialized. On the way out, the woman at the front desk proclaimed, “I just saw Santa get into the trooper’s car!” Even local law enforcement was getting into the spirit.
The party was the perfect way to celebrate the holiday season.
