Center for Living Independently Director Susan Satur, left, and CLI consumers pose for a photo during the Thanksgiving luncheon hosted by the First Lady Wella Palacios Foundation at CLI on Capital Hill Wednesday.
First Lady Wella Palacios, center, First Lady Wella Palacios Foundation President Becky P. Cruz, third left, and Center for Living Independently Director Susan Satur, left, with CLI consumers during a Thanksgiving luncheon at CLI on Capital Hill Wednesday.
ON Wednesday, Nov. 27, the First Lady Wella Palacios Foundation and the Office of the Governor hosted close to 100 individuals with disabilities at a Thanksgiving luncheon held at the Center for Living Independently on Capital Hill.
Mrs. Palacios, the foundation’s president, Becky P. Cruz, and staffers from the Office of the Governor “touched the hearts of many today,” CLI Director Susan Satur said.
She said they at CLI “really appreciates the first lady and her foundation coming to them, taking the time and the effort to be with people with disabilities.”
“We appreciate her coming today and giving turkey, which a lot of our consumers won’t have at home. It really touched our hearts,” Satur said.
About 80 consumers regularly visit the center, which also provides services to 250 other consumers in their homes, she added.
Home health education specialist Zackary Peter said they really appreciate the first lady “bringing this kind of food to us — I’m sure for many of our consumers, it’s their first time trying this food. We really appreciate this Thanksgiving luncheon.”
Disability Services Coordinator Tiana Pellegrino Ranjo said the room was filled with big smiles, and the consumers were excited to try the turkey and ham.
“They were really happy,” she added. “To First Lady Wella, I really thank her and her foundation for always thinking about the center.”
She said the first lady and her foundation are among their “best supporters and we really appreciate them thinking of us because we always need that kind of support.”
Independent living skills specialist Chris John Sepeleo thanked the first lady for hosting the Thanksgiving luncheon. “Happy Thanksgiving to you, First Lady Wella, and to your family, especially to the governor,” he added.
CLI Board President Emeterio Fitial said, “We appreciate the first lady for…treating everybody to lunch.”
Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority transit information specialist John Demapan, who is a consumer of CLI said, “I thank CLI for inviting me here today.”
“I’m thankful to friends and family, and our disability network partners like CLI, for allowing clients to break out of their shell and to make something of themselves,” he added.
