By Sara Beth Williams–
The Veterans Community Center in Citrus Heights will host its fourth annual Hawaiian Luau fundraising event on Saturday, Aug. 24.
The festivities are slated to begin at 5 p.m. and will include a buffet dinner with Hawaiian-themed foods like pulled pork and Hawaiian fruit, said Veterans Community Center owner Jeanne Rounsavell. Other staples, like potato salad and macaroni salad, will also be offered.
The event will feature live music from Nativ Sun and a dancing performance by Ka Pá Hula Kalama O Ha’aheo, according to an event flyer. The Hawaiian dance group has performed for the luau fundraiser for the last four years, Rounsavell said. According to the group’s website, the group offers lessons in both ancient and contemporary Hula, ʻOri Tahiti, Hawaiian-Style Ukulele, and Tahitian Drums.
Rounsavell expects between 60 and 100 attendees at the event, depending on the weather. More will attend if the weather is cooler. Rounsavell said the 2023 Luau fundraising event had to be held inside due to hot weather.
“We put every dime back into the center,” Rounsavell said, adding that the Hawaiian Luau is one of two large fundraisers held annually. All funds raised are used to help maintain the building and pay for meals offered to veterans during the week, with some funds also going toward future projects.
Rounsavell listed several special projects that she’d like to work on in the future, including a stage and decking for the back patio area. In the past, raised funds have been used to update the center by adding an electric gate, and upgrading the center’s sign so that it displays upcoming events electronically, Rounsavell said.
Tickets are $75 for front row seats and $50 for middle row seats and can be purchased at the Veterans Community Center in Citrus Heights, Monday through Friday, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
For event information and ticket inquiries, email the Veterans Community Center at info@veteranscommunityctr.org. Visit the center’s Facebook page for further event information.
The Veteran’s Community Center is located at 6921 Sylvan Rd. The center was founded by Jeanne and Jim Rounsavell in 2013 and is maintained by unpaid volunteers.
