Robertsdale seniors to host annual soup contest on Feb. 28

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ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — Robertsdale seniors will host the first soup contest of the new decade on Friday, Feb. 28, along with the annual soup contest at the George P. Thames Adult Activity Center in Robertsdale.

Seniors hosted their monthly birthday bash with a special Valentine’s Day celebration on Friday, Feb. 14 at the PZK Hall.

Celebrating birthdays in February include Cynthia Nall, WillieMae Lett, Geri Lewandowski, Alicia Mott, Michael Schweiger, Fran Lowry, Bobby Joe Baker, Ms. Roger Gause, Tucker Byrd, Reggie Henderson, Mary Williams Drew Caldwell, Rex Bishop, Grace Holmes, Deborah Miller, Justin Turberville, MaryAnn Lindsay, Heath Brill, Fae Chamblin, Dorothy Fields, Barbara Felts, Joe Pilleggi, Nell Calloway, Leon Sinclair, Sonja Conner, Greg Smith, Jerry Sides, Gloria Knapp, Irene Joullian and Gwen Windham.

“And a huge thank you to all of our sponsors and all of our wonderful volunteers,” said Robertsdale senior activities coordinator Amy Ochello, “without them none of this would have been successful.”

Sponsors for the Feb. 14 event included Wal-mart; Hub City Florist; Alabama Hospice Care; Community Hospice; Kindred Hospice; and Southern Care Hospice Services.

The deadline to enter the annual soup contest is Wednesday, Feb. 26. Any soup, gumbo, etc. can be entered and the event is open to all ages. Soups must be in place by 9 a.m., judging begins at 10 a.m.

“We are so blessed to have (soup kitchen organizer Becky Hayes) and the many volunteers who help with this vital program,” said Robertsdale senior activities coordinator Amy Ochello.

The monthly soup kitchen should begin around 11 a.m., or as soon as judging is concluded and awards have been handed out at the Adult Activity Center, located at 22651 E. Chicago St. in Robertsdale. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place.

Now in its seventh year of operation, the soup kitchen is held on the last Friday of every month and while February’s soup kitchen will feature soup, other months have featured a wide variety of foods, from chicken and dumplings, to spaghetti, to tacos and Mexican fare.

“We cook whatever we have available,” Hayes said. “We appreciate all the donations from the community and welcome donations and any volunteers who would like to help out. We understand that there are a lot of winter visitors to the area this time of year and if they are looking for a place to volunteer, we’d love to have them.”

Volunteers are also needed to deliver meals to shut-ins every month, Hayes said.

Hayes said while they will not turn anyone away who needs a hot meal, donations are gladly accepted from those who want to come and support the program.

If you would like to donate, contact the Hayes or Claudia Barbee at the Senior Center, (251) 947-8973, or donations can be dropped off directly at the center.

Daily, weekly, monthly and special events for adults over age 50 are hosted at the center and at the PZK Hall on Alabama 104 in Robertsdale. For more information you can pick up a monthly calendar at the center, call Center Director Amy Ochello or staff volunteers at 251-947-8973, or email robertsdaleseniorcenter@gmail.org. You can also check out the Robertsdale Senior Center page on Facebook.