45th Anniversary with HUGE FIESTA at Hotel Dieu

Commemorating its founding on July 7, 1977, the organization marked the occasion with a festive celebration at next door Hotel Dieu, to which all staff, volunteers and supporters were invited.
The mood was casual and relaxed, but joyous as everyone recalled the many years of working and volunteering in one of the nation’s largest senior meal programs. Many had anecdotes or reminiscences about the organization’s founder Sr. Alice Marie Quinn, DC, or SAM as she was known to all.

…the staff and volunteers came together…

Before long, the strains of mariachi music were heard, as was the sizzle of carnitas and chicken on the outside grill where Las Cazuelas GDL had set up a buffet of delectable tacos and fixings for all to enjoy. As guests mingled and enjoyed their lunch, Sr. Joyce Weller, D C, SVMOW Board Chair offered a prayer and remarks about SAM and the early days of the organization; followed by SVMOW executive director Veronica Dover, who spoke movingly about how the staff and volunteers came together to meet the many challenges the pandemic presented, and still managed to fulfill the mission.

Afterwards, members of Mariachi Zapopan threaded through the crowd to play trumpet and guitar solos as people helped themselves to slices of a multilayer carrot cake, decorated for the anniversary, the flavor chosen in SAM’s honor, as it was her favorite.