Category Archives: Volunteering

January’s Jingo Night Not Just a Trivial Matter for FOSH Volunteers

30 Wednesday Jan 2019

Posted by in Sports & Recreation, Volunteering

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We were thrilled to welcome six first-time volunteers at Jingo Night in January. This is always one of our favorite monthly volunteer events through Friends of the Soldiers Home because we get to work one-on-one with elderly veterans who have served our nation so well. The event is kid friendly, which is a wonderful way for young ones to rack up those much-needed volunteer hours for school. Lots of people wonder, “What is Jingo?” When they show up, they realize that Jingo is like bingo, but with a trivia question added. Fun! The next opportunity is Thursday evening, Feb. 14. Hmm, I sense a Valentine’s Day theme will be coming for that game! Join us by dropping a line to Lori Lincoln at volunteerfriendsofsoldiers(at)gmail(dot)com.

FOSH Rolls Into 2019 By Bowling With Elderly Veterans

28 Monday Jan 2019

Posted by in Sports & Recreation, Volunteering

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It is always a pleasure when Friends of the Soldiers Home volunteers meet up with the wonderful Armed Forces Retirement Home veterans at the bowling lanes. Our latest get together on a cold Tuesday evening in January was like many of our other ventures at the lanes. We are happy that we get to help residents use their wonderful bowling facility. We have fun rolling a few balls ourselves. And when the evening is over, we are always glad we came!

Join us for the next Bowling Night on Tuesday, Feb. 19 (the day after President’s Day) by expressing your interest with an email to our volunteer coordinator, Lori Lincoln, at volunteerfriendsofsoldiers(at)gmail(dot)com.

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

Posted by in Holidays, Volunteering

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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

Posted by in Holidays, Volunteering

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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!

Deadline For Holiday Cards for Home Veterans Is Dec. 14

28 Wednesday Nov 2018

Posted by in Holidays, Volunteering

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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

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!

Hot Outside, But Warm and Friendly Inside at August Happy Hour

31 Friday Aug 2018

Posted by in Happy Hour, Volunteering

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Friends of the Soldiers Home had a great time Aug. 28 at this month’s version of Happy Hour at Armed Forces Retirement Home-DC. With our long-time partners the Nam Knights, we had a wonderful time. Volunteers appreciated that the joke telling and conviviality was happening in doors at the beautiful, air-conditioned Scott Building rather than outdoors in the 100-degree heat index!

Photos courtesy of Lori Lincoln.

Your July 4th Event Guide

03 Tuesday Jul 2018

Posted by in Community Events, Holidays, Volunteering

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Armed Forces Retirement Home-DC, July 4, 4pm-9:30pm

Sponsors: Anheuser Busch, DCCX

Location: Enter Armed Forces Retirement Home at Randolph Road and Rock Creek Church Road in Washington, D.C. For navigation, use 340 Rock Creek Church Road N.W., Washington, D.C.

Performance Times:
4pm: Waymon Lucas Jr. aka Kool (Guitar Hand) Luke
5pm: DJ Billy White aka The Music Man
7:30pm: Hortonville, Wis., High School Marching Band
9:09pm: National Mall Fireworks

Attractions:
4pm-8:30pm: bounce house, corn hole, tug o’ war, ring toss, water games
4pm-6:30pm: facepainting
4pm-7pm: catch-and-release pond fishing (bring your own bait, gear)
6pm: patriotic bike decoration contest judging

Food/Drink: Rosie’s Pizza & Subs, Ooo Dat Chicken, Quick Bite, Hardy’s BBQ, Dog Tag Bakery, Captain Cookie, Sly’s Sucker Punch, Anheuser Busch
Weather: Partly cloudy, 86 degrees

Cost: Free if you walk or bike in. Friends of the Soldiers Home requests a $10 donation per carload for drivers

Volunteer: To volunteer for part of the event: http://signup.com/go/KrxYHUy

Pets: Sorry, you must leave pets at home

A Very Special Thanks to the staff and residents of the Armed Forces Retirement Home for making this event possible, and to the Capital Chapter of the Nam Knights of America for volunteer support

FOSH’s June 19 Bowling Night Has Veteran Friendship to Spare

22 Friday Jun 2018

Posted by in Sports & Recreation, Volunteering

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Thank you volunteers who came out to FOSH Bowling Night at Armed Forces Retirement Home-DC on Tuesday! Volunteers maybe had more fun than residents did … or at least as much. We aren’t keeping score, but remember that bowling night happens the third Tuesday of each month. To become part of FOSH Bowling Night — and have fun while giving back to veterans — contact Volunteer Coordinator Lori Lincoln at volunteerfriendsofsoldiers(at)gmail(dot)com.

Photos courtesy of Rocelia Johnson.