Don’t you just love it when the community comes together and raises money for a good cause?

That’s what happened Thursday after a buildup of several weeks for the Hot Dogs for Seniors event in New Iberia. The sixth annual fundraiser for the Iberia Council on Aging was the most productive by far, according to Iberia Council on Aging executive director Carol Whipp.

And, wow, hundreds of hot dog dinners were served, 1,200 to be exact, at $6 apiece for a hot dog, chops, cookie and soda. Some people who are new to the community, and even some who aren’t, were amazed at the response.

Many meals were delivered to School Days Apartments on Center Street, Ward 8 Recreation Center in Jeanerette and the St. Joseph Hall in Loreauville, as well to businesses across Iberia Parish.

Most of the meals were picked up during the midday hours at the Cyr-Gates Community Center in City Park. There was a steady procession of people and vehicles.

Volunteerism ran rampant. There were so many helping hands and they were so appreciated in this local event championed by Whipp.

“For many of our elderly, this is the only meal they will eat today. For some, it’s the first full one. We could not have done this without our sponsors and volunteers,” Whipp told The Daily Iberian on the big day. “Our outreach included the Iberia Homeless Shelter, which made us feel even better about our work today.”

Bridgeway Hospice was the principal sponsor, organizers said, and was joined by other sponsors, including Acadian Home Care, Gardenview Assisted Living, Grace Home Health, Maison Teche, Iberia Manor North and South, Azalea Estates, Belle Teche, Genesis Hospital, Griswold Home Care, Oceans Hospital, Iberia Medical Center and Iberia Extended Care. Thanks for stepping up to the plate and helping hit a home run, sponsors.

One of the key volunteers was Butch Bourgeois of Jeanerette, who is widely known for his cooking prowess and who cooked the chili that added so much to the meal. Can’t have a good hot dog without good chili and Bourgeois delivered.

“I want to thank Butch Bourgeois, who cooked the chili. He came in at 3 a.m. and just went home right before 10 a.m.,” said Loretta Landry, who works in the 16th Judicial District Court’s office. Landry was involved, she said, simply because she loves helping people.

That was the common denominator.

There is a “certain joy you receive when you help the elderly,” said Melissa Vincent with Gardenview Assisted Living.

Pam Champagne of Acadian Home Care was hopeful society would take better care of its senior citizens.

“They’re our history. We need to make sure that they are eating three meals a day. This event is wonderful, but it’s just not enough. There needs to be more,” Champagne said.

Truer words haven’t been spoken. Hot Dogs for Seniors was a great blueprint to draw from in the future.

DON SHOOPMAN

SENIOR NEWS EDITOR