Author Archives: Kent

FOSH Once Again Rings In The New Year With a Trivia Contest

14 Monday Jan 2019

Posted by in Holidays, Sports & Recreation

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For the fourth January in a row, Friends of the Soldiers Home kicked off its volunteer year with an event called “Trivia Night With Zach Hartman.” As usual residents and volunteers divided into teams and competitively tried to answer questions correctly from FOSH volunteer and board member Zach. The action on this Jan. 3 night ended in a tie between one team called Old Geezers and another one called The Rebels. The tie-breaker question? Which year did the White House burn. Geezers correctly answered and won the game! If you know the answer, then consider yourself a trivia master — and someone who might want to join us for a future Soldiers Home “Trivia Night.”

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FOSH’s Volunteer Year of 2018 Ends With Sounds of Falling Pins

13 Sunday Jan 2019

Posted by in Sports & Recreation, Volunteering

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Just before 2018 ended we snuck in one more fun event with Armed Forces Retirement Home-DC residents. Every year Geico sponsors a bowling challenge for the AFRH residents by providing food and prizes for the occasion. This year, the winning scores only differed by a few pins (107, 106, 103 and 101)! Next year we look forward to an expanded tournament for both the residents and FOSH volunteers.

FOSH Helps Residents View Holiday Lights — And Entertains Them

21 Friday Dec 2018

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Friends of the Soldiers Home volunteers were on hand to escort Armed Forces Retirement Home-DC residents outside onto the third floor terrace at the Scott Building so that the veterans could view a beautiful Winter Wonderland light display. The scheduled entertainment couldn’t come, but luckily FOSH had some adorable munchkins on board to fill the need! Cub Scout Den #1946 (four 2nd graders who attend the National Presbyterian School) arrived with siblings, parents and their Den Leader in tow – 13 deep! We also had three students from Washington Latin PCS and some of our more regular stalwart volunteers. Their manners and smiles immediately commanded attention, and were all the reason that anyone needed to be filled with hope and holiday cheer! During Winter Wonderland, residents and volunteers took a quick stroll around the 3rd floor terrace, viewing the whimsical lighted holiday decorations and the cityscape below. Back inside, everyone enjoyed singing, socializing, snacks and drinks.

FOSH’s 2018 volunteer year ended Dec. 18 with Bowling. We hope to spend many more hours with you next year bringing together our veterans at the Armed Forces Retirement Home with the surrounding community. That will begin with Saloon Night on Wednesday, Jan. 2nd from 6-8 pm. If you want to come, drop a line to Lori Lincoln at volunteerfriendsofsoldiers(at)gmail(dot)com.

FOSH Assists Holiday Wreath Event at Historic Cemetery Near Home

20 Thursday Dec 2018

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Armed Forces Retirement Home-DC residents attended the Wreaths Across America event at the U.S. Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home National Cemetery just across the street from the Home. Friends of the Soldiers Home Vice President Liz Cocke worked to ensure the AFRH public affairs staff were in touch with the WAA volunteer coordinator to organize the event. Liz also attended and joined the residents who were on hand to remember those who served. Join her – and all the volunteers – on Saturday, Jan. 19, starting at 9 a.m. to help clean up the wreaths!

Annual Holiday Card Event at Soldiers Home Spreads Cheer

19 Wednesday Dec 2018

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Thanks so much to a group of beautiful youngsters from the community surrounding the Armed Forces Retirement Home-DC who delivered home-made holiday cards to some very deserving veterans. The group brought the cards with plenty of smiles and energy — and sang holiday tunes to every resident they could find! It was such a wonderful day for what over the years has become a fantastic annual event. Thanks so much to Sarah Gabriel and others who worked so hard once again to create and deliver these cards!

Holiday Tree Lighting Co-Sponsored by FOSH Brings Seasonal Joys

06 Thursday Dec 2018

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The annual Holiday Tree Lighting co-sponsored by FOSH was a beautiful evening Dec. 4 as the community bonded with residents in a warm celebration. A Soldiers Home resident choir sang holiday favorites as Santa and Mrs. Claus looked on. FOSH is grateful that champion whistler Chris Ullman serenaded a thankful audience with holiday classics and some great stories. FOSH also is thrilled that the Georgetown Phantoms singing group delivered holiday classics and a Motown set. FOSH presented residents with a few gifts — a couple dozen wreaths that decorated the walls and some tents residents will be able to use at their warm-weather outside events to stay out of the sun. After the program, everyone headed to the courtyard for the tree lighting and sang songs. What a great night!

Bring Wine, Join FOSH at Annual Solders Home Tree Lighting Celebration

02 Sunday Dec 2018

Posted by in Community Events, Holidays, Music and entertainment

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Enjoy the season! Georgetown Phantoms singers and champion whistler Chris Ullman will be performing at the Soldiers Home-DC holiday tree lighting on Tuesday, December 4th. Beginning at 6pm join FOSH’s meet and greet and bring a bottle of wine to share. The program begins at 6:30pm.

Fun for the entire family. Interested? Write Lori Lincoln at volunteerfriendsofsoldiers(at)gmail(dot)com.

Deadline For Holiday Cards for Home Veterans Is Dec. 14

28 Wednesday Nov 2018

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Its that time of year again! We are collecting handmade holiday cards for the residents of the Old Soldiers Home/ Armed Forces Retirement home here in DC. If you know an adult, office, child, daycare, or school that would be interested in making holiday cards to bring some joy to these individuals who have spent years or a lifetime in service to all of us, please spread the word and help us hand out a card to every retired soldier we can this holiday season. Last year we handed out over 700 hugely appreciated holiday cards from all over the country. The cards are delivered along with some hugs, singing and lots of holiday cheer.

I will be happy to pick up the cards you make or you may mail/ drop them at my home. The deadline for this small but meaningful way to help experience the joy of giving back in our own backyard is Friday, December 14th. In the event the number of cards exceeds the number of residents, all of the remaining art will be shipped to operation gratitude for placement in care packages of persons serving overseas. Please help spread the word and lets make this years card drive a success!

Thanks so much/ Happy Holidays.
Sarah Gabriel sarchance10(at)aol(dot)com

Friends of the Soldiers Home Annual Year-End Fundraising Drive

27 Tuesday Nov 2018

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Dear Friends,

Seven years ago, Friends of the Soldiers Home began working to connect veterans of the Armed Forces Retirement Home-DC with the community.

Since then, we organized volunteers more than 300 times for activities. Three annual festivals bring 5,000 community members to campus.

Your financial support makes this possible.

As we prepare to mark Giving Tuesday, consider supporting our year-end campaign by clicking “donate” on friendsofsoldiers.org or with a check to Friends of the Soldiers Home, P.O. Box 3170, Washington, DC 20010.

Your donations help us organize volunteers for events for the elderly veterans, such as Bowling Night and Jingo; they keep our festivals free; and they assist with the cost of food, drink and entertainment at our monthly Saloon Night for residents.

Thanks for your support!

Sincerely,

John Hughes
Chairman and Co-Founder

Friends of the Soldiers Home is a 501 (c)(3) organization serving to strengthen the bond between the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington and the surrounding community. Through service, education and engagement, Friends of the Soldiers Home connects citizens and veterans in a relationship that recognizes the sacrifice of military service and enhances quality of life for veteran and citizen alike.

Work Off the Turkey With Two Great FOSH Volunteer Opportunities

24 Saturday Nov 2018

Posted by in Music and entertainment, Volunteering

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We all love our friends and relatives — and eating — but why not get out and move about right after Thanksgiving with TWO great volunteer opportunities with Friends of the Soldiers Home!!

First, Tuesday, Nov. 27, 5:30pm, Bowling Night! You’ll help residents who need assistance to bowl, but you’ll also do some rolling yourselves! Ages 14 and over are welcome.

Then Friday, Nov. 30, 5:15pm, dance to the U.S. Navy’s premier bluegrass ensemble, Country Current! Yes we want you to dance and have fun at this free event, but we also want you to help transport residents and serve some food and drinks. This one is for age 18 and older.

Both of these activities are FREE and FUN — a great way to glide into the holidays! Write Lori Lincoln and tell her you can come at volunteerfriendsofsoldiers(at)gmail(dot)com. She’ll tell you all the rest of what you need to know.

Happy Thanksgiving!