Des Moines BBQ Goes Green
Culinary Director Arny Alejandrino and BBQ coordinator, Jean Olson at the Wesley Homes Des Moines BBQ. Arny will soon be leaving Wesley Homes for a job closer to home (he currently commutes 2 hours a day!). He has done so much for Wesley Homes since his employment and he will be missed. Send Arny your comments of well wishes at the bottom of this post.
Wesley Homes Des Moines Resident BBQ Goes Green in 2009
Each year, Wesley Homes Des Moines puts on a fun, festive BBQ for residents and their families. Serving nearly 1300 people in the gardens and another 200 at the Health Center, this year the event was also friendly to the environment.
Everything was washable, recyclable or biodegradable, even the utensils, made of a corn-based product, were compostable. “The biggest difference was the trays,” said Arny Alejandrino, Director of Culinary Services. “We borrowed washable plastic trays from Enumclaw High School and served the food right on them.” Beverages were served in biodegradable cups and dessert was frozen yogurt cones thereby eliminating the packaging waste of soda bottles and ice cream bar wrappers.
By “going green,” the BBQ committee also saved approximately $3,000. Donations from Petschls Meats and Food Services of America also contributed to the savings this year. While extra effort was made to eliminate waste at the BBQ, it is part of a larger commitment by Wesley Homes Des Moines to be more environmentally friendly. “We make more foods from scratch which reduces packaging waste,” said Arny. Wesley Homes has also switched to biodegradable soaps and detergents.
July 27th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Arny – you have done so much for all of our residents – at Des Moines and Lea Hill! Thank you for your creativity, inspiration and positive attitude. I will miss you and hope you keep in touch!
July 27th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
Oh, Arny……good for you but SAD for the Des Moines community! I have so enjoyed working with you on projects, programs and IDEAS for Des Moines Senior Center. Your wealth of knowledge on food services is impressive and your are helpful, resourceful and supportive 110%!!!!
I will miss working with you. Best wishes in your new position.
Sue Padden
Des Moines Senior Activity Center
July 27th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Thank you Arny for all the wonderful blessings you have brought to Wesley Homes. Your work and commitment to the residents will be missed and I wish you the very best. Take care and stop in and see us again soon.
July 27th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Arny – It has been such a great pleasure to work with you all of the time that you have been at Wesley Homes. You have done countless number of quality items for the betterment of all of Wesley Homes. You have set the bar for Culinary Services excellence. I wish you the very best in your future endeavor and you’ve left some really big shoes to fill. Stay in touch.
July 27th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
Bye Arny! We will miss you! Crista is lucky to get you.
July 28th, 2009 at 6:42 am
Oh Arnie, How I will miss that wonderful smile and those TGIW knuckle greetings, your positive and caring ways as well as some of your crazy antics. I wish you nothing but the best and know you will do great things for Crista. I hope that our paths will cross again.
July 28th, 2009 at 9:49 am
Thank you Arnie for all your efforts supporting our family of residents and staff. You will be missed here at Wesley Homes Des Moines. The BBQ was such a wonderful event for our residents and their family members. Your work and committment to this community has been a blessing. You have such great visions for culinary services and I hope you continue to share your talents on behalf of seniors. Take care and God Bless.
July 28th, 2009 at 9:52 am
We will miss you a lot Arny! I wish you the best on your new adventure. Knuckles!!..
July 28th, 2009 at 9:53 am
Arny-you are one of a kind. Your enthusiasm, energy and humor have been a joy to be around!
Thank you for all your hard work in getting the home health culinary program up and going, we appreciate it!
I hope you’ll stop in and visit us all. You will be missed!
July 29th, 2009 at 7:34 am
Arny
You will be greatly missed and I have so enjoyed working with you. The impact you have made within the Culinary Services and Wesley Homes will be long lasting and I wish you all the best in your future endeavors. Take care of you and your family.
July 29th, 2009 at 8:03 am
Arny
To me you have always been one of the “homies”. It is not going to be the same around here without your smiling face and upbeat attitude. I wish you all the success that you deserve, and I know our paths will cross in the future.
July 29th, 2009 at 8:23 am
Arny
I’m going to miss you! It’s been so wonderful working with you and I’m so happy that you will be closer to your family. I hope to see you again.
July 29th, 2009 at 8:37 am
Arny- NOW who is going to tell me to dream big and quit being so practical? I’ll try to keep my head in the clouds.
Thank you for being such a great mentor and taking a chance on me. You rock. I’m so happy for you and your family, but you will be GREATLY missed, by me and all of the staff and residents, we have been so lucky to have you. Eat Food and Be Happy!
July 29th, 2009 at 8:52 am
Arny-You are going to be missed. Who will give us decorating tips.You were a great member of the team. Best of luck!
July 29th, 2009 at 8:54 am
Arny! Getting to know you over the past 7 months has been truly AWESOME! I will miss being in meetings with you…who is going to chat in my ear? When are we starting our “Senior Yearbook” website….? Thanks for all the great advice you have given to me. I wish nothing but the BEST for you and your family. Take care and keep in touch! Good luck you in the future.
July 30th, 2009 at 7:50 am
Thank you all for your kind almost true words. I’ll miss all of you so much! This is the best job i’ve ever had and i will have the best memories of Wesley Homes because i’ve had the pleasure to work with all of you.
Arny
July 30th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Arny – Your enthusiasm and sense of humor will be missed by all.
Thank you for all you fun and creative ideas for the Fun Committee. I wish we could have cloned you! Enjoy more time with your family and your new position. The very best to you – Birthday Buddy. I am so glad I had a chance to work with you and thank you again for all the blessings you brought to Wesley.
August 3rd, 2009 at 3:15 pm
Arny,
You sure got our blog going by going. I look forward to your return someday. Best wishes and stay in touch. I just can’t believe you’re not here anymore. You can see how much you’ll be missed from all the comments. Good luck.