By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

RESERVE – Senior citizens from across the parish packed into the Knights of Columbus hall in Reserve Friday for a holiday tradition more than 25 years in the making.

The Knights of Columbus Unit 2436 played host to more than 300 residents during the club’s annual senior luncheon.

Club member Burt Cashio said the event is the work of several volunteers within the organization, as well as outside groups that donate door prizes and other gifts for the accompanying Bingo games.

“The event is just as popular now as it was when I first started here nearly 30 years ago,” Cashio said. “We give out about 350 invites, and we usually get about 300 or more every year. It is something that the residents look forward to.”

Cashio said the Knights are regularly granted with donations from local businesses, which include gift cards, cash, gift baskets and other items to be used as prizes for the Bingo games.

Meanwhile in the kitchen, volunteers toiled over the extensive lunch serveded up to all who attended the event.

Randy Aucoin, one of the cooks, said the Knights regularly serve up more than 140 pounds of turkey, 35 pounds of dirty rice, sweet potatoes and a dessert.

“It is something that the residents have always enjoyed,” Aucoin said. “It is one of the things that just make our club worthwhile and fun.”

Cashio said the Knights also do an event for the residents of the Southeast Louisiana War Veterans Home about every three months and deliver about 30 gift baskets to needy families for Christmas.