SHELBURNE FALLS — Community members enjoyed dinner on the scenic Iron Bridge overlooking the Deerfield River on Sunday, all while raising money for local athletic programming.

“This is our biggest event that we spearhead for the year for fundraising,” explained Jennifer Pease, president of the Mohawk Trail Athletic Association and organizer of the Iron Bridge Dinner. “One hundred percent of the profits go back to the athletic program … for the district, [supporting students in kindergarten through 12th grade]. … It’s a nice community event.”

For the first 19 years of the tradition, the Greater Shelburne Falls Area Business Association organized the Iron Bridge Dinner. Following a multi-year hiatus amid the pandemic, the Mohawk Trail Athletic Association took over the event in 2023. Mohawk Trail Regional School athletes have worked as waitstaff at the dinner for years.

Carrying on that tradition on Sunday, Mohawk Trail student athletes served dinner, and elementary schoolers served water and soda.

Avery Johnston and Sophia Goodnow were two student athlete servers at the event. Johnston, who will be a senior in the fall, plays field hockey, and indoor and outdoor track. Goodnow will be a freshman in college and played volleyball, softball and indoor track during her time at Mohawk Trail.

“All of us are involved in the school, we all play sports, and we just get to serve our community and then they can have a chance to meet us, see what we do,” Goodnow said. “The [Mohawk Trail Athletic Association] does a lot for students. … I was a senior, so I got a scholarship from them — very helpful. It’s gonna help me go to college.”

Johnston added that the organization also helps students pay for uniforms. “It allows the students to have access … because we have events like these,” she said.

Sheryl Stanton, superintendent of the Mohawk Trail and Hawlemont regional school districts, provided music as part of the duo 133 Skeele.

“The athletic association is really such an amazing contributor to the school,” Stanton said. “We are here to celebrate the student athletes and also the community. They’re just so supportive of the work that we do, and supportive of the kids, so we’re thrilled to be here.”

“Everything goes back to our kids to help offset athletic costs,” Pease emphasized, adding that anyone who is interested in donating to the organization can email mohawkathleticassociation@gmail.com.