It has been a long time coming, but finally the interior of the Veteran's Community Center is getting a refresh!

As you probably know by now, this building is over a century old, and it's been decades since it got any updating in the main hall.  We have added modern bathrooms to accommodate visitors and events held here, but the main hall has the same old paneling and suspended acoustic ceiling it's had for years.

With the help of Vince Robles, our main guy in charge of updates and maintenance around the Center, we are getting ready to give the interior a much deserved painting, and we should have a completely new look soon!  

The work will be done the week of December 13 through the 17th, so the Center will be closed to visitors during that time.  That means we will not be hosting lunch that Tuesday or Thursday.

To help show where we are beginning this project, here are some "before" photos of the interior.  We will post the "after" pics as well, so look for those in a couple of weeks!

How she looks now:

Just a reminder that this Center is totally supported by donations.  If you feel led, would you please consider donating to our goal of serving the community's Veterans?  You can do that HERE or stop by the Center during open hours of 9am to 1pm, Monday through Thursdays most every week.  

As mentioned above, we will be closed the week of Dec 13 - 17, 2021 for this refresh project.  

​Thank you and Happy Holidays to everyone!

On Thursday, September 23, 2021, the Veterans Center held a lunch and memorial service honoring two of our long time attendees.  These two were Douglas Duane Ellington and Gene Paul Cornthwaite.  Both men were loyal and helpful regular attendees of the Center, and were among the most active in helping out whenever needed.

Doug was active in most events, often handling announcements at luncheons (which we conduct twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays) and as an accomplished musician, he provided music at special events and sometimes just to lift the spirits of whoever happened to be around.  Doug was a quick wit as well and humor was a part of his everyday demeanor.  He will be sorely missed.

Gene was a quiet man, but extremely sincere and helpful with projects here at the Center and was a driving force in helping to facilitate the new bathroom project we took on a couple of years back.  His extensive knowledge of construction played a very helpful part in planning as well as execution in making that endeavor a success.  You couldn't ask for a better friend to the group, and he will also be very missed.

Below are two tributes, written by loved ones as noted.  Each will give you greater insight into the two men.  You can click on the pictures to enlarge and make it easier to read.

A poem loved by Doug:  

I'm Free, Author Unknown

"Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free, 
I'm following paths God made for me.

I took his hand I heard him call, 
Then turned, and bid farewell to all.

I could not stay another day
To laugh, to love, to sing, to play.

Tasks left undone must stay that way, 
I found my peace...at close of play.

And if my parting left a void, 
Then fill it with remembered joy. 

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, 
Ah yes, these things I too will miss.

Be not burdened...deep with sorrow, 
I wish you sunshine of tomorrow.

My life's been full I've savored much.
Good friends, good times, A loved one's touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief, 
Don't lengthen it now with grief.

Lift up your hearts and share with me, 
God wants me now...He set me free"

The service and invocation was conducted by Veterans Community Center Chaplain, Pastor Brad Gunter of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Roseville.

About 25 were in attendance for the ceremony which was catered by Hewlett Packard volunteers who brought in BBQ lunch prepared by Back Forty BBQ in Roseville.  It was both popular and much appreciated.

Also present for the ceremony was the traditional "Missing Man Table" presentation, also narrated by Pastor Brad.  Below are photos of the table and the meaning of everything present on the display.

Another of our talented Vets, J.R. Evans, played his harmonica to a couple of tunes to honor the two as well and to lift the spirits of all in attendance.  

It was a nice tribute to these two men, a Celebration of their Lives, and they will both be missed and remembered for their contributions to this group and this place, our Veterans Community Center.

In an effort to organize our approach better in 2020, and to let all of our Veterans know our plans so that they can adjust their own calendars if necessary, we have produced our first yearly Events Calendar for this year!  This is a collaboration of the ownership and management staff at the Center and we feel will greatly aid us in focusing our efforts appropriately throughout the year.

Since this is January and there are some plans in flux, this Calendar is a "work in progress" and a rough draft, if you will, for the year.  The dates listed are solid dates, but many "details" of the events will be added at a later date.  Check back or watch this blog for the latest news! 

Would you like to help with any of these Events?  If so, please contact us!

Last Saturday the Veteran's Community Center of Citrus Heights hosted a "Luau" for both charity and to raise money for the Center.  Tickets sold for $35/each and there was Hawaiian music, dancers and of course FOOD!  

The setting was out on the back patio and set up in the amazing horseshoe courts at the Center.  There was also a silent auction with donated baskets containing different goodies, from soaps to wines to events to even a Walmart card!  

Fun and great fellowship was had by all and while the final tally isn't known to this author, as I was in attendance it seemed to be a wonderful success!  Next time we'll have a flyer up ahead of time and do a better job of promoting the event.

Thank you to all who worked to make this successful, and contributed their time and efforts to make the Center ready for this event.  And thanks to all who came and bought tickets, and goodies through the silent auction.  We appreciate all of you!

The Knights of Columbus Fair Oaks Council has put together a Golf Tournament Fundraiser Event that is planned to help the Veterans Center!  We are so honored to be included in this wonderful event! 

The Event date is Saturday, August 3, 2019. 

This is a really big event so don't hesitate to get involved! 

​Love golf?  Then get a group together (or just you is OK too!) and sign up for the event!  There will be prizes, box lunch and dinner too!  And it's being hosted at one of the premier courses in the area, Rancho Murieta!  This will fill up fast, so don't wait to get your spot!  Check out the great prizes on the form too!

The Registration Form is below.  Right click and choose "Print" if you want to fill it out and send it in, or simply call in the Jim Carlson as stated at the bottom of the form.  We can't wait to see you all there!

Don't forget - this is not only fun, but will help benefit the Veterans Community Center of Citrus Heights and help Vets right here in our community!  

Thank you!

The BIG Yard Sale that was planned for last week, on the 6th, has been rescheduled for THIS Saturday the 13th!  So, if you thought you missed it, you didn't!  

This will be a big one folks!  Come on by to check out the wares, and grab a bargain.  At the same time, you'll be helping support the Veteran's Community Center here in Citrus Heights!  

Beginning at 8am, we have just about anything you could be looking for.  Tons of clothes (kids and adults), kitchen appliances, bicycles, sporting equipment, blankets, knitted goods, pots, pans, games, and much more!  It's HUGE!  

Drop by and find something for you or someone you know.  It's cheap, it's fun and it's going to a great cause - the Community Center uses these funds to provide a gathering place for Veterans throughout the year.  We provide lunches weekly, on Tuesdays and Thursdays (typically "Hot Dog Day" with the best Hot Dogs around) and coffee and snacks the rest of the weekdays between 9am and 1pm.  

Come by and help your local Vets and the Center, and grab a bargain in the process!  

Thanks to all in advance who made this sale possible with your donations, and to those who will find new homes for the goodies!  ​

It's finally HERE!  The BIG annual Yard Sale at Veteran's Community Center in Citrus Heights!  

Beginning at 8am, we have just about anything you could be looking for.  Tons of clothes (kids and adults), kitchen appliances, bicycles, sporting equipment, blankets, knitted goods, pots, pans, games, and much more!  It's HUGE!  

Drop by and find something for you or someone you know.  It's cheap, it's fun and it's going to a great cause - the Community Center uses these funds to provide a gathering place for Veterans throughout the year.  We provide lunches weekly, on Tuesdays and Thursdays (typically "Hot Dog Day" with the best Hot Dogs around) and coffee and snacks the rest of the weekdays between 9am and 1pm.  

Come by and help your local Vets and the Center, and grab a bargain in the process!  

Thanks to all in advance who made this sale possible with your donations, and to those who will find new homes for the goodies!  

Veteran's Community Center of Citrus Heights
6921 Sylvan Rd
​Citrus Heights, CA 95610

We will be hosting a St. Patrick's Day FUNDRAISER at the Center on Tuesday March 12th!

Of course we will be serving the traditional Corned Beef and Cabbage faire, with the cost of $15/person.  Come enjoy a great meal with us, and help us sustain our Center with the cause!  

Our lunches on Tuesday and Thursday are always a great time of fellowship and good eats, and this will be no exception!  Hope to see you all there!

The Armed Forces Day Spaghetti Feed and Wine Tasting Fundraiser is almost here!  There is a limited time left to get your tickets (only $15 per person, including dinner, wine with dinner and more) for this great and valuable event!

​Here is the flyer for the event:

Call (916) 757-9193 for tickets or more information.  We hope to see you there!

Once again the Veterans Community Center (this Veterans Golf Park charity) is involved in Toys for Tots with the Marine Corp Reserves. 

​On Thursday and Friday (December 7th and 8th) we held a two day collection event at the local Walmart at 7010 Auburn Blvd (very near the Community Center around the corner on Sylvan Rd) and were once again thoroughly impressed by the generosity of the community in which we live!  We took in loads of new toys and a nice amount of money too (which goes to toys within the Walmart store), including 5 new bicycles!  Amazing to see and be a part of this great local charity event.

Thanks to all who helped make this a great success, both through your contributions of time, money or toys....or any of the above!  

Here's a couple quick photos:

If you didn't make it by but will still like to donate (new toys, money or even new clothes for up to teen age would be welcome) you can bring by your donation to the Veterans Community Center at 6921 Sylvan Rd on any weekday between 9am and 1pm.  Donations will be accepted up until the end of the month (December 29, 2017)