West Indian accras, fish with Mexican rice and cakes for dessert. The solidarity New Year’s Eve menu, which is the return to Savigny-le-Temple (Seine-et-Marne) after two years of absence due to the health crisis, should satisfy this Saturday evening the taste buds of the hundred participants who have reserved their seats. Needless to say, this return was expected. ” It is complete. We even had to refuse people, ”says Edgar Lambert, president of the Solidarity Residents Group (GHS), founder of the event in 1998.
Every year outside Covid, this festive evening, organized in a room at the Millénaire, is an undeniable success. “Originally, we launched this New Year’s Eve for isolated people, who spent this evening alone from December 31 to January 1. It was immediately successful and it has become a tradition, thanks to the town hall who help us. »
“We feel the need to come together”
Thanks to the loan of the room and a grant given to the association, the guests only pay 3 euros per adult and 2 euros per child, a meal which is actually worth a little more than 12 euros. “It is also thanks to the generosity of Patrick Thomas, a Franco-Caribbean caterer from Savigny”, continues Edgar Lambert, explaining the New Year’s Eve theme and its musical extension throughout the evening, provided by Sophie Maillot, professor of singing on the town, she also invested in the associative plan, like Edgar Lambert.
A long-time volunteer at Restos du Coeur, the latter has since taken his family on board the GHS, to cheer up those who are in difficulty or in loneliness. He also organizes a charity barbecue at the end of spring and participates in all municipal events, making cotton candy with his machine that he takes everywhere.
“This year is the resurrection of solidarity New Year’s Eve, rejoices Edgar Lambert. For two years, we were sad not to be able to do it. This Saturday morning, the organizers prepared all the tables before taking a little rest while waiting for the arrival of the caterer, around 6 p.m. And before finalizing all the preparations for the arrival of the guests, around 8 p.m. The mayor, Marie-Line Pichery (PS), will come and toast with them shortly after.
“This makes it possible to reach an audience, which without it, would spend New Year’s Eve alone, says one in town hall. There are also families who come. We feel the need to get together and there, at the end of the year, with the not very encouraging announcements that have been made lately, it warms the heart to meet again. By supporting the event, this makes it possible to carry out a social link action. It’s a rather noble cause, faced with a reality: loneliness during the holiday season, against which this type of event helps to fight. The mayor is particularly attached to this New Year’s Eve. »