Deirdre Newman “Are we ready?” Mayor Linda...

Deirdre Newman

“Are we ready?” Mayor Linda Dixon asked as she rolled up her

sleeves and prepared to get down to business.

The business at hand was not on a City Council agenda, though.

Dixon was getting ready to serve turkey lunches at the Costa Mesa

Senior Center’s second annual Thanksgiving lunch Wednesday.

About 200 seniors dined on traditional Thanksgiving fixings such

as succulent turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce and

pumpkin pie.

“Most of these seniors do not have their families nearby,” said

Aviva Goelman, executive director. “That’s why they’re here. This is

their Thanksgiving.”

Various community members showed their spirit of generosity by

donating to the luncheon. Paramount among them is Surat Singh, owner

of Angel’s Auto Spa in Costa Mesa, who sponsored the entire event.

Costa Mesa residents Ed and Franka Carmona woke up at the crack of

dawn and donned their chef aprons so they could start cooking at 5:30

a.m.

And Newport Rib Co. donated the mashed potatoes.

“[The luncheon] also shows [the seniors] that the community

supports them,” said Del Heintz, president of the center’s board of

directors.

After the seniors waited patiently while sipping on orange juice,

the freshly cooked lunches were finally served by Dixon and the other

volunteers.

“It’s very impressive,” said Betty Gillespie, 80, as she took a

bite of stuffing.

Dixon said she volunteered for the second year in a row to show

her appreciation for a segment of the population that has contributed

so much to the community.

“I’m thankful for all they’ve given to our community, and it’s

just a small way to give back,” Dixon said.

Three students from Estancia High School also pitched in.

“I heard about it and I like to help people,” said Erwin Alvarado,

18, adding that he wants to study to become a nurse who works with

the elderly.

* DEIRDRE NEWMAN covers education. She may be reached at (949)

574-4221 or by e-mail at deirdre.newman@latimes.com.