VFW-VA ICE-CREAM SOCIAL

             Members and Auxiliary of VFW Posts Marana-5990 and Tucson-10188 teamed to host the first “Ice-Cream social” for patients of the Blind Rehabilitation Center, at SAVAHCS in Tucson. District-5 Commander and President Bruce & Pam Spencer; Auxiliary Presidents’ Brenda Price (5990) and Eileen Bedel (10188); Auxiliary-10188 PPP Lynn Buckel and Auxiliary-10188 Hospital Chair Buri Lee Moore were helped by VA volunteers. District-5 Chaplain Robert DiVarco was instrumental in inspiring this event and is ‘always-there’ as a full partner.
            Advertised as an “Ice Cream Social”, it was actually an afternoon filled with fun for patients; so ice-cream became secondary in importance. After Brenda set up her karaoke system, Brenda and Eileen went around the room encouraging patients to join in. It wasn’t long before patients’ were tapping their feet in timing with the music and singing-along. Then VFW volunteers took turns with their favorite karaoke songs and some dancing. Judging from the volume of applause, it wasn’t possible to determine which VFW volunteer was the patients’ favorite.
            By any measure Blind Rehabilitation center patients clearly enjoyed this event. VA Director of Events Rita Ramey encouraged the VFW volunteers to return and do it again!

Slideshow of Event

District-5 Commander Bruce Spencer and District-5 Chaplain Bob DiVarco receive help from Auxiliary-10188 Hospital Chair Buri Lee Moore in preparing ice cream dishes for patients at the VA Blind Rehabilitation Center (picture taken with permission of the patients)

District-5 President Pam Spencer helps Blind Rehabilitation patients choose their dish at the ice cream social hosted by Members and Auxiliary of VFW-5990 and 10188. Each dish was made-to-order (picture taken with permission of the patients).

District-5 Chaplain Bob DiVarco demonstrates his karaoke skills at the ‘Ice-Cream social’ for patients at the VA Blind Rehabilitation Center. Bob is on a first-name basis with most of the VA staff, from the days when Bob had his own band and they would perform monthly at the VA auditorium. Nowadays Bob’s band has disbanded but he has retained his singing skills. The SAVAHCS has become Bob’s second home.

Auxiliary-5990 President Brenda Price helps a Blind Rehabilitation patient practice his karaoke skills. Brenda’s bubbly personality is contagious, and patients were soon singing along (picture taken with permission of the patients).

VFW Auxiliary Presidents’ Brenda Price (5990) and Eileen Bedel (10188) team-up to entertain patients at the VA Blind Rehabilitation center (picture taken with permission of the patients).