Scott Francis, one of the many volunteers from the community helping to make the Valentine's Day brunch a success.

Photo Credit: Daniel Castro

Town Administrator Robert Reed flipping pink pancakes in the kitchen

Photo Credit: Daniel Castro

Sandy Wilson helps serve seniors at the brunch

Photo Credit: Daniel Castro

LEICESTER, Mass. — From roses and red hats to pink pancakes, the Valentine's Day spirit was aglow in the Leicester Senior Center this morning as the town's veterans and older residents were treated to a special holiday brunch put together by state and local officials.

The idea for the event came together at the end of the Veterans Day Breakfast in Novemeber, when State Rep. John Benienda , Sen. Michael Moore and Selectman Thomas Buckley began discussing the possibility of also organizing a small brunch for Leicester's seniors.

"It's Valentine's Day and we're offering to the elderly and the veterans a brunch to show that we appreciate the things that they have done over the years, so we're kicking off their Valentine's Day by saying 'we love you, too," said Buckley.

After they brought their idea to Council On Aging Directer Rachelle Cloutier, she was for the event as well.

"She was very instrumental in putting this together," said Buckley.

After that, community members like Bill Moore, Harry Brooks, Scott Francis, Students from Leicester Middle School's student council, Chief Jim Hurley, Town Administrator Robert Reed, as well as fellow selectmen Dianna Provencher, Rick Antanavica and Sandy Wilson among many others all jumped at the opportunity to help bring the event to fruition.

"It's amazing, because as soon as you even bring up the idea, it's like everybody wants to be a part of it," added Buckley. "And everybody has great ideas, and they put them together to the point where I can just get out of the way and learn — and I'm still learning."

In fact, the state senator explained how a brunch that began with simple plans for "some coffee and some donuts," after talking to others and getting ideas "it really has blossomed into a nice event."

"The whole thing has just snowballed," added Buckley, who said he hoped to see the tradition continue.

"We're hoping that this is the first of an annual Valentine's Day brunch. That's the goal," he said.