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"When I came to Northvale 44 years ago, we didn't have this," said Dolores Alfis, 67, who has been with the organization for the past 25 years and has served as its director the past 10 years. "I was a stay-at-home who didn't have much of an education."
The business-formal gala -- held once every five years -- will include a dinner, select bar beverages, and a self-serve ice cream station for the nearly 75 attendees expected.Local delis, cleaners and restaurants have contributed to the silent auction.Vivian Abitabilo and Harold Friedman have assisted Alfis in event planning, but she often has to run errands herself on a motorized scooter.
"This thing has wheels, so my husband and I really get around," she said.The group will put the funds raised during the gala towards a new seniors' transportation van.
The one that they currently use for food shopping and to get to medical appointments is more than 10 years old.The group has also raised funds for in-house Zumba classes and the new bingo board that they use every Sunday.
"Widows have a hard time, sitting at home alone," Alfis said. "So they come here and have their coffee, and get sugared up, and have a hot lunch, and they socialize."
"My husband passed," said Anne Delury, the center's bookkeeper. "I haven't been to a gala before, but this year I look forward to enjoying it for myself,"
MORE INFO: (201) 767-0097.
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