Sutter Estates, a retirement community in Yuba City, continues to celebrate local first responders. On Thursday, Sutter Estates hosted its second annual First Responders Appreciation Lunch.
Handmade signs that read “THANK YOU,” “BLESS YOU,” and “OUR HERO” greeted the first responders who stopped by for free to-go spaghetti lunches. Employees with the Yuba City Fire Department, Bi-County Ambulance and Yuba City Police Department attended. Lunches were also dropped off at the Marysville Fire Department after the event.
Activities Director Victoria Frijas shared the heart behind the event.
“To show our appreciation to the men and women who come here and help when we can’t lift them,” Frijas said.
She explained that first responders frequently visit the retirement community for lift assists.
“If someone has fallen, we can’t move them in case they injured something,” Frijas said. “So they have to be able to lift them and check them out before they lift them up.”
Frijas hopes that the appreciation lunch lets first responders know that their work is valued. “People do care, and we appreciate them,” Frijas said.
Putting care into the event, planning for the event took about a month. Preparation work included gathering supplies and ordering items like boxes and silverware. It was a team effort.
A key contributor was cook Corinne Diaz, who prepared 100 spaghetti lunches for first responders and 70 spaghetti lunches for the residents on Thursday.
This year’s lunches included spaghetti, parmesan, a cookie, and a drink. Helpfully, Save Mart donated the cookies.
Reflecting on this annual event, resident Wanda Collins said that the occasion is wonderful.
“We had so much fun with these boys last year,” Collins said.
This year’s event also featured its share of light-hearted moments. One law enforcement officer, departing with a smile, joked, “Don’t cause any havoc.”
