Chapter 123 of the Culver City Disabled Veterans (DAV) and Disabled Veterans Auxiliary (DAVA) will host their fifth annual fundraiser Dec. 5 in the Rotunda Room of the Veterans Memorial Building.
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., attendees will be able to enjoy a luncheon of fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, salad, and dessert. They will also be able to enjoy the performance of a Korean dance troupe as well as the talents of a Charlie Chaplin impersonator.
“Its the end of the year where we have a lot of our members come and we have a nice little luncheon,” said Caroline Morris, commander of the DAVA.
The goal of the fundraiser is to raise money to sponsor such things as life memberships to the Disabled Veterans and continue to provide monthly bingo the convalescent wing of the Veterans Administration Hospital. Another goal is to raise money to provide canteen books to DAV members, which would allow them to buy food and gifts for themselves or others.
Admission to the fundraiser is free but raffle donations are welcome. Raffle tickets ranging in price from $1 for one ticket up to $20 for 50 tickets will be sold at the site. Raffle prizes include gift certificates and gift cards to such places as Costco, Target, La Rocca Pizza, Starbucks, Trader Joes, and Chipotle.
Morris said they expect anywhere from 50 people to 100 people to attend the event. Both the mayor of Culver City and the city council have been invited to attend.
In addition to the food and entertainment, Forget-Me-Not flowers will be sold at the event. These flowers are usually worn on a jacket lapel, a sweater, or blouse in remembrance of the veterans of past and current wars.
Joe Fiumefreddo, chaplain of DAV Chapter 123 helped organize the event and said that he was happy that they are able to produce the event every year, especially for his particular chapter because of how much it helps disabled veterans financially and spiritually.
“What I like about this chapter is it doesn’t discriminate on what you look like, what nationality you are, what service you belong to, how you got hurt, it doesn’t matter, said Joe Fiumefreddo, chaplain of DAV Chapter 123. “The thing is that you served in the service no matter what you did, you got hurt in the service, you belong to the Disabled American Veterans.”