FREE! APRIL 2022 Vol. 18 Issue 10
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Nottingham Township Annual Clean-Up Day – April 23 Page 12
Enjoy a Lenten Fish Fry at Area Locations Page 21
Fish Fries
5 Tips for Gardening with Kids Page 25
West Mifflin VFW Post To Hold Spaghetti Dinner April 24 Fundraiser Will Benefit Local Hospitalized Veterans Bradich said that in addition to grant money provided through the VFW foundation, VFW Post 914 usually funds its hospital visitation program Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 914 ‘Intrepid’ West through Buddy Poppy donations. The pandemic, Mifflin would like to invite you to dinner. however, necessitated a quick and immediate The award-winning VFW will host a spaghetti dinchange. As social distancing protocols effectively ner Sunday, April 24 from 12 noon to 6 p.m. at the scratched Buddy Poppy fund raising throughout Thompson Run Athletic Association on 4901 Ball the state over the past two years, the post began Ave., West Mifflin. On the menu will be spaghetti attracting donations through social media a few and meatballs, salad, garlic bread and choice of soft months ago. drink. Donation will be $13 for each adult, and $7 for “The spaghetti dinner is a new tactic for us,” said children 6 to 14 years old. Those five years of age or Bradich. “We’re putting a lot of effort into this.” younger may eat for free if accompanied by an adult. The West Mifflin VFW post uses its donations Assorted desserts will also be available for a donation. to buy refreshments and snacks for veteran patients Also featured will be a raffle of gift baskets and prizes, and residents, as well as to purchase coupon books, as well as other fundraising. and fund small cash prizes during bingo games. According to VFW Post 914 Commander Jake Patients at Southwestern Veterans Center use Bradich, this is the group’s first major fundraiser since these windfalls to purchase things such as toiletry COVID-19 pandemic social distancing restrictions items and other sundry articles at the hospital canwere put into place more than two years ago. teen. Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 914 ‘Intrepid’ “We use 100 percent of our donations for our hosThe money raised by the VFW post fills a need. Commander Jake Bradich gets ready for a spaghetti pital visitation program,” the Iraq War veteran said. Many of the veterans and other residents at dinner Sunday, April 24 from noon to 6 p.m. at the “The pandemic really put a dent in our budget, and Southwestern Veterans Center are indigent, and Thompson Run Athletic Association on 4901 kept us from going out into the community and solicwhat little financial support they have by way of Ball Ave., West Mifflin. The unit will be hosting iting contributions the way we normally do. This pension or government benefits are utilized by the its first large fundraiser in nearly two years to help hospitalized veterans. spaghetti dinner will help us get what we need to help Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to help fund their (PHOTO BY KOLLEEN BARVA-HAMLIN) local veterans, and give something back to our comcare. The bingo games conducted by VFW Post munity as well.” 914 are managed in such a manner as to ensure Bradich added that the money raised by the fundraiser will directly benefit everyone who participates is a winner, and all will receive some of the small cash residents of the nearby state veterans’ home. Located approximately six miles prizes. For more information about the spaghetti dinner fundraiser, contact from West Mifflin, Southwestern Veterans Center is an assisted living facility commander Bradich at: 412-508-1313 run by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. It serves (Michael P. Mauer is the Public Affairs Officer for VFW District 29. He served as more than 200 area veterans and spouses who are disabled, chronically ill, or in an Army photojournalist during Operation Desert Storm, and was awarded the Joint need of specialized care. Patients there have been the focus of VFW Post 914’s Service Commendation Medal by Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf for his actions during hospital visitation program for more than 30 years. the war.) By Michael P. Mauer, VFW District 29 PAO