20th Salute To Framingham To Honor: Mark and Karen Curtis, Dave Gudejko
20th Annual Salute to Framingham scheduled for Thursday, March 22.
In 1992, the Salute to Framingham was created to honor individuals for their
outstanding commitment and service to Framingham’s youth. These honorees join a select group of people who have made a real difference in the lives of the children of Framingham.
On Thursday, March 22, the 20th Annual Salute to Framingham will honor Mark and Karen Curtis and Dave Gudejko.
Since 1989, Mark and Karen Curtis have been sponsoring a free Thanksgiving Day dinner for those in need. With the help of volunteers, Mark and Karen Curtis have prepared and served traditional Thanksgiving meals to thousands of needy families for more than two decades.
Last year, at the “Curtis Family Feed," nearly 1,700 people had a free, hot Thanksgiving dinner either delivered to their door or served to them at
Eagles Hall in Framingham.
The annual Curtis Family Thanksgiving dinner brings together more than 400 members of the community including local business owners, Framingham Girl Scouts, students from Fuller Middle and Framingham High and members of Framingham Youth Hockey who donate supplies, money or their
time to follow the example that Mark and Karen Curtis have set for the last 23 years.
As owners/operators of the Eagles All-American Grill, the Curtis’ service to the Framingham community continues year round with service to senior residents of Memorial House and the Callahan Senior Center. Through the years, Mark & Karen Curtis have been also a part of community family events ranging from Concerts on the Common to the groundbreaking at Bowditch Field.
Dave Gudejko has been involved in the town of Framingham since moving here in 1978. For almost three decades, Gudejko has been active in Framingham Baseball in many capacities including serving as president of both Little League and Framingham Babe Ruth.
He has coached, chaired many fundraising activities and answered the call
whenever he was asked. In addition, Gudejko worked closely with Framingham Parks and Recreation Department as field liaison where he scheduled fields for more than 1,000 players.
For many years, Gudejko volunteered to get up before sunrise on cold Sunday
mornings to make sure that the kids got safely onto buses to enjoy the Framingham Parks and Recreation department’s ski and snowboard program. That same attitude and spirit was brought to the Marian Boosters, when as past president he helped shape that organization.
Additionally, Gudejko has coached CYO basketball and administered many
youth programs through St. Bridget’s CYO including community outreach programs, ski trips and bowling.
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This year, the Salute to Framingham will present the Jim O’Connor Community
Service Award to the Framingham Co-operative Bank Charitable Foundation. Named for former Framingham High athletic director and founder of the Salute to Framingham, this award honors an organization whose work benefits the youth of Framingham.
The Framingham Co-operative Bank Charitable Foundation was established by Framingham Co-operative Bank in 1998 as a reflection of its long-standing commitment to the local community.
In addition to these honorees, the Salute program also recognizes Framingham teachers and staff who make each day “special” in our public schools. The event also acknowledge graduating Framingham High students who positively impact the school community.
The Salute to Framingham will take place on Thursday, March 22 at 6 p.m. at the
Sheraton Framingham. Complete details and ticket information are available at
www.salute-to-framingham.com
Proceeds from the Salute to Framingham benefit the Framingham High School
Foundation. All proceeds from the event are used to benefit Framingham High students by supporting activities, the arts, and athletics at the school.
Salute to Framingham is presented by NMTW Community Credit Union in partnership with other community sponsors.
In This article
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Eagles All American Grill
55 Park St, Framingham, MA -
Raymond Callahan Senior Center and Framingham Council on Aging
535 Union Ave, Framingham, MA -
Bowditch Field Athletic and Cultural Complex (Framingham Parks and Recreation)
475 Union Ave, Framingham, MA -
Framingham Parks and Recreation Department
475 Union Ave, Framingham, MA
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Marian High School
273 Union Ave, Framingham, MA -
St Bridget's Church
15 Wheeler Ave, Framingham, MA -
Sheraton Framingham Hotel & Conference Center
1657 Worcester Rd, Framingham, MA -
Framingham High School
115 A St, Framingham, MA -
NMTW Community Credit Union
969 Concord St, Framingham, MA
Jim Rizoli
1:20 am on Thursday, January 26, 2012
I'm sure next year the Rizoli brothers will be asked to receive this honorable award.
We'll start working on our speech now.
Jim@ccfiile.com
Amy Schwartzberg
7:05 am on Thursday, January 26, 2012
There are several other people who are being honored, will you be profiling them as well?
Susan Petroni
12:29 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
@Amy - thus far these are the only honorees the committee has provided us.
I know they willl be releasing the "you are special" honorees later; which we will do mini profiles on and we will list the high school students honored.
Thanks for your comment.
Susan Petroni
12:11 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
As this is a nice release about 3 people being honored for their work in Framingham, I am going to give a quick reminder to be civil on this site.
Let the focus be on Mark and Karen Curtis and Dave Gudejko!
And Jim - every time an award is given, you don't need to point out the fact that you didn't get the award - a child would do that. You should know better and I should NOT have to state the obvious!
Susan Petroni
12:24 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
That's it!!!!
As I am likely the only one in Framingham who has met David Duke -- I iinterviewed him as a presidential candidate in 1992 - let me just say him and the KKK discuss does NOT belong here!!!
Judy and Jim I am eliminating all the comments on this thread!!!
The honorees do not deserve to read this!!
Kim Poness
12:59 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
I hope this isn't off-topic, but I'm wondering if you have to be an "Eagle" to eat at the "Eagles All-American Grill". I honestly never knew it was there, but since my husband and I are taking an informal culinary tour of downtown Framingham, it would be nice to add this to the list, particularly since the owners are so involved in the town!
Susan Petroni
1:49 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
Kim - no anyone can eat there. My family has ordered takeout several times, especially the seafood plates during Lent. I love the scallops! Good seafood at a great price.
Judy Marchetti
1:05 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
Well then Congratulations again to Mark and Karen Curtis for receiving this award. What you do at Thankgiving for so many people is a wonderful thing. And I'm sure we can all thank them by patronizing their restaurant.
Now Susan, please remove the original comment which caused all this trouble.
Jim Rizoli
1:11 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
I've eaten there several times....Good food, nice atmosphere.
Jim@ccfiile.com
Jim Rizoli
2:21 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
Sue....You still do lent? You must be a good practicing Catholic.
Been there done that in my past life....
Jim@ccfiile.com
Amy Schwartzberg
2:42 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
Where is the Eagle Grill? Sue the reason I ask, a friend of mine is an honoree this year and she is awesome. I always know that the Salute picks are perfect b/c the people they pick do such awesome work for others who live in Framingham and surroiunding towns.
Susan Petroni
4:27 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
Eagles Grill is on Park Street near the US Post office and the United Way office.
@Amy - is you friend one of the "you are special" honorees?
If yes, we usually get that list later.
Brenda Crawshaw
4:34 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
I am so happy that the Curtis Family is being honored for their unflagging service to this Town not just because they SO deserve it but because hopefully this will bring them the kind of exposure that will help them in their endeavor.
Barbara Sherman
4:45 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
Mark and Karen do a great job with the Thanksgiving Meal. It is a pleasure to work with them. I also enjoy eating at the Eagles All American Grill. Their seafood is my favorite. Salads are very good.
Patricia Thistle
7:37 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
just to let you all know the CURTIS"S deserve this award more than any of you will ever know ,,,the EAGLES has been there for a good many years and anyone that lives in framingham should know that , it's as well known as the ELKS , or VFW or the COLUMBUS HALL , ,I have helped out at the THANKSGIVING DAY FEAST ,i've peeled veggies and help serve the meals ,,,I've seen first hand what they do and it's amazing ,everyone should try it , i've done it twice now and i can't wait to do it again this year,,do comment ,unless you know what your talking about ,,the food at the resturant is top notch food and priced right . ,,,,,,,
Kim Poness
7:59 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
Patricia - I've lived in Framingham for a good many years, and did not know the Eagles was there. I was a little bit busy raising three children, shuffling them back and forth, volunteering at their activities, and working full time. That said, it's wonderful to know what amazing things the Curtis's have done in the town. They sound like incredible, selfless people, obviously deserving of this honor. Because of this, it seems like those of us who didn't know about the Eagles will now become customers. Sounds like a win-win for everyone!