Briarwood Cooks Up a Feast for Burncoat Preparatory Elementary School

Worcester, MA – With Thanksgiving approaching, the Dining Services staff at Briarwood Continuing Care Retirement Community prepares for residents’ annual social gatherings and dinners. But starting in 2008, they added another tradition: cooking a Thanksgiving feast for 250 students and staff at the Burncoat Preparatory Elementary School. This year, the repeated luncheon event was held on the Friday, November 20th.

The Dining Staff prepared twelve turkeys, stuffing, mashed potatoes, rice pilaf, apple crisp & ice cream, all from donated sources, and delivered everything to the school.

Tony Yesket, Briarwood’s Director of Finance, and his wife Theresa, a teacher at the school, initiated Briarwood’s involvement last year, which has been much appreciated.

Burncoat Prep Principal Debra Frank sent a thank-you letter, noting “Our children look forward to this celebration with their school family each year. Your contribution is invaluable to the caring school culture we are working hard to create.”

The school community is so appreciative that a large sign was placed in front of the school thanking Briarwood. Dining Services staff, however, take this in stride and do not seek public accolades for something that brings happiness to kids and the local community. The preparation work brings a great amount of joy on all sides and is bound to be a continuing tradition.

Briarwood is a non-profit community that includes Independent Living cottages & apartments, Assisted Living apartments, and the Knollwood Nursing Center for skilled nursing & rehabilitation services.