Glen Cove Boys & Girls Club marks 25 years of Thanksgiving Community Dinner serving hundreds

More than 350 people filled the Glen Cove Boys & Girls Club on Nov. 25 as the organization celebrated the 25th anniversary of its Thanksgiving Community Dinner — a tradition that has grown into one of the city’s most cherished holiday gatherings.
Families entered through the Pearson Teen Center, where long buffet tables were lined with turkey, stuffing, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, salads, desserts, and the event’s popular sundae station. The annual dinner is made possible entirely by Elegant Affairs, the Long Island catering company that has donated and prepared the full Thanksgiving meal for all 25 years.
“We’re delighted to welcome the community and their families to join us for this special Thanksgiving dinner, with Retired Police Sergeant Jack McDougal leading the blessing,” said Franca Trunzo, the Club’s executive director. Trunzo noted that the dinner has become a meaningful tradition for families who rely on the Club not only for after-school care, but for connection and support during the holidays.
Elegant Affairs President Andrea Correale said the Boy & Girls Club dinner has long been a priority for her team. “Glen Cove Boys & Girls Club holds a special place in my heart. As neighbors and friends, it’s our pleasure each year to cater this very special event,” she said in the press release.
Among the attendees was Jessica Banos of Glen Cove, who arrived with her husband, Jorge, and their three sons — Aiden, 9; Lucas, 5; and Jacob, 18 months. Banos said attending the dinner felt full circle, sharing that she herself had been a Boys & Girls Club member growing up.

Her oldest son has now been in the Club’s after-school program for five consecutive years. Banos said she appreciates how many activities the program offers, including sports, a computer center, and seasonal programming that keeps her son engaged and excited to return each day. “He literally never wants to leave,” she said, recalling days when she’d pick him up only to turn around and come back later because he wanted to stay longer.
“It means everything to know he’s in a safe place where people care for him,” she said.
Trunzo said that many staff members began as Club members themselves before returning as youth development professionals — a cycle she described as meaningful for the organization and the families it serves.
During the Thanksgiving season, the Club also distributes holiday baskets to local households. Trunzo said more than 150 baskets were assembled and given out this year, with families able to pick them up at the end of the dinner.
The annual celebration also included raffles, door prizes, and the opportunity for families to connect with neighbors and staff before the start of the holiday season. For Trunzo, the milestone year underscored the purpose of the event — creating a space for gratitude and togetherness.
“It’s a time for us to remember and be grateful for everything we have in terms of our families and our parents, and to offer them a special meal,” Trunzo said. “It’s a really nice way for us to give back to the community and come together.”