As she watched her grandkids eat turkey and sip on hot chocolate Wednesday at the Boys and Girls Club in Bridgeport, Maria Tlapa couldn’t help but reminisce about her children when they were younger. Tlapa, who lives in Bridgeport, said for many years she would bring her three children to the annual Tony Maurello Thanksgiving Dinner at the Bartlett J. McCartin Boys and Girls Club, 3400 S.
Emerald Ave. “It’s beautiful seeing the community come together like this,” said Tlapa, 66. “It’s just a good time.
My kids used to love coming here.” Now her daughter, Ana Navarrete, said she’s following the tradition her mom started all those years ago by bringing her own kids. “I remember my mom bringing us as kids, and I wanted my kids to have the same experiences,” Navarrete, 32.
“The food is good, and they’re having fun. They’re making friends.” Hundreds of residents and dozens of volunteers gathered inside the club Wednesday afternoon for the 57th annual dinner.
The dinner was started by Tony Maurello, who was a longtime supporter of the club. “Tony noticed there was a need in Bridgeport during the holiday all those years ago,” said Dawn Jimenez, club director of the Boys and Girls Club. “Now it’s become a tradition that people return to year after year, even if they move away from the neighborhood.
” Residents were served turkey with all the fixings, including stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy and mac and cheese. A hot chocolate bar and dessert.