Alfond Youth Center hosted its 99th annual holiday community dinner

Photo by Mark Huard, Central Maine photography

by Mark Huard

The Alfond Youth & Community Center, serving the Boys & Girls Clubs and YMCA of Greater Waterville, hosted its 99th Annual Holiday Community Dinner on Thursday, November 9, 2023. This traditional sit-down holiday dinner with turkey, stuffing, potatoes, rolls, gravy, vegetables, beverages, pies and all the trimmings was amazing. The event served over 1,000 community members.

The event is staffed by AYCC employees, volunteers from the Sunrise Rotary Club of Waterville and AYCC members. Central Maine Motors Auto Group was the event’s exclusive sponsor for the 10th year in a row, donating 700 pounds of turkey for the dinner.

“My husband, Chris, and I were pleased to be able to sponsor the Annual Holiday Community dinner again this year,” said Linanne Gaunce, Donations / Employee Relations at Central Maine Motors Auto Group. “We have much to be thankful for and feel strongly about giving back. Central Maine may be large, but it is a tight-knit community. We look out for each other during difficult times and share our joy during good times. We are happy to join with the AYCC to bring everyone together to enjoy a home cooked meal and celebrate our community and our connection to each other.”

The holidays are a busy time for Linanne, Chris and their team at Central Maine Motors Auto Group. A few weeks from now – just as they have in the past – they will make sure every family from the AYCC’s Waterville After School and Preschool programs receives a turkey and a bag of the fixings for their Thanksgiving dinner. The Central Maine Motors Auto Group is as competitive as they are generous. Chris and Linanne provide a list of what is needed for the bags (i.e., vegetables, gravy, etc.) and host a contest to see which site can fill the bags the fastest.

“We are incredibly grateful to Linanne, Chris and the Central Maine Motors Auto Group team for providing Thanksgiving dinners to the families of AYCC’s youth,” said DJ Adams, After School Programs Director, AYCC. “The holidays are a time for families to come together but can also be a difficult time for some. By donating the turkeys and all the fixings, Central Maine Motors Auto Group has taken some of the pressure off these families and helped to make it possible for them to focus on enjoying family time together.”

Photo by Mark Huard, Central Maine photography