By Steven Smalley
Photo by K. KennellThe final Sunday of the month is upon us this weekend, which means Nikos Gyros, the Greek restaurant in The Village, serves Magnolia in a different way. In addition to their usual menu, Alexandra ?Alex? Serpanos, the restaurant?s generous owner, dishes up brunch and gives 100% of receipts, including tips, to a community organization. The recipient for April is the Ballard Senior Center, which serves Magnolia, Queen Anne, and Ballard.
?I knew she was interested in older people, so I went and asked if she would do one for the Senior Center and she said, ?Yes,?? reveals Kay Kennell, a volunteer for the center. ?It?s really quite a remarkable place.?
Open Sunday 11a.m. to 4p.m., Nikos Gyros employees volunteer their time and take no pay for the day, instead donating it to the cause.
Run by King County, the Ballard Senior Center serves 2500 different people every month. With only 30% of their budget covered by the county, 70% must be raised to support programs as diverse as sewing classes and language education. Anyone over 50 can visit and enjoy services. Membership is not required. Lunch, made from scratch, is served daily.
Serpanos says she is surprised by how many people stop by and not only have a nice meal, but also give checks too.
?We encourage everyone from Magnolia to go to Nikos and patronize the event,? says Kennell.
Students who need community service hours are invited to call, as well as others who want to volunteer. Their telephone number at Niko?s Gyros is 206-285-4778.
The Ballard senior center is located two blocks north of the Hiram Chittenden Locks.
Thank you to Alex and her crew for spending that last Sunday of each month to help worthy nonprofits in the area. Your whole family does such a good job keeping us all well fed and feeling a part of your community. Thank you for choosing to help the Ballard Senior Center this month—you rock! -k
Agreed, this is a terrific gesture each month by Alex and the entire staff and family at Niko’s Gyros!
A record donation by the community to support the NW Senior Center. Thanks to all the volunteers who served and all the neighbors and people from far and wide who came to support this day.
The generosity of the Serpanos family is legend in many hearts in Magnolia but their reach extends way beyond!
Next month is a cancer camp for children, with the date to be announced. Many people enjoyed the brunch entrees and said they’d be back…
Mahalo.
Thanks to the Magnolia Voice for their coverage, to Steve Smalley and to the Seattle Times for picking up the story in their Around the Sound section.