Annual Veterans’ Homes Week – June 14-21
Pennsylvania’s long-term care veterans homes honored their residents, family members and staff with week-long festivities during their annual Veterans’ Homes Week.
Delaware Valley Veterans’ Home, Gino J. Merli Veterans’ Center, Pennsylvania Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home, Southeastern Veterans’ Center and Southwestern Veterans’ Center celebrated during the week of June 14–21.
Hollidaysburg Veterans’ Home held their Veterans’ Homes Week celebration on May 14 due to the ongoing construction on the home’s grounds.
Throughout the week, the residents enjoyed a variety of activities and entertainment such as a carnival, musical and comedy performances, picnics, parades, campfires, military ceremonies, and a petting zoo.
Activities like these greatly benefit the residents by increasing their social connections and promoting a more active lifestyle. The cost for most of these activities are paid for by each home’s Resident Welfare Fund. Donations to these funds can be made online at www.donate.dmva.pa.gov.
In addition to offering year-round recreational and leisure activities, each veterans home provides residents with essential equipment and furnishings, on-site medical and pharmacy services, physical and occupational therapy, and 24-hour nursing care. Other special amenities at each home include a library, snack bar/gift shop commonly known as the “Canteen,” transportation services, barber and beauty services, and in-house chapels and chaplains for spiritual guidance and fellowship.
For more information about admission, employment or volunteer opportunities, visit Veterans Homes. You can also learn more about the homes by following DMVA at www.facebook.com/padmva, https://www.instagram.com/pa.dmva, https://www.linkedin.com/company/padmva/ or https://x.com/padmva.
Here are some celebration highlights at each home:
Homes Week At Delaware Valley Veterans’ Home
Delaware Valley Veterans’ Home highlighted Veterans’ Homes Week with a carnival full of fun games, food and other activities for residents to enjoy!
Homes Week At Gino J. Merli Veterans’ Center
Gino J. Merli Veterans’ Center (GMVC) celebrated its Veterans’ Homes Week with a Flag Day Ceremony, a Father’s Day performance by Roy Ramos while the residents enjoyed root beer floats, and daily entertainment by local performers. Residents enjoyed coffee, cookies, danishes, and muffins from Minooka Bakery.
Additionally, they enjoyed a movie night (“Meet the Fockers”) with popcorn and cold beverages, a morning of playing bingo, a day of polish music along with polish food (halushki, pierogis, smoked kielbasa and banana cake), and a celebration of the grand opening of their Pub in honor of Ed Bardonski.
The GMVC’s special week ended with a carnival which included a DJ, an ice cream truck, soft pretzels, a photo booth, and a blueberry pie eating contest.
Carnival Fun At Hollidaysburg Veterans’ Home For Veterans’ Homes Week
Hollidaysburg Veterans’ Home (HVH) hosted a carnival on May 14 to celebrate its residents, family members and dedicated staff. This yearly event is to remind residents and those who provide their care that they are appreciated.
The event included performances by local bands Country Traditions and Stephanie & the Wild Hearts, as well as clowns, caricature drawings and more!
Due to the ongoing construction of HVH’s new Community Living Center, their Veterans’ Homes Week celebration was held a month early.
Homes Week At Pennsylvania Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home
Pennsylvania Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home celebrated Veterans’ Homes Week by giving residents the opportunity to show off their creativity by making their own tie dye shirts! Their colorful creations will be a great addition to their wardrobe for years to come!
Homes Week At Southeastern Veterans’ Center
Talk about a great way to celebrate Veterans’ Homes Week! Dancers and fire performers turned up the heat at Southeastern Veterans’ Center (SEVC). Residents were entertained with rhythmic hula dancers and thrilling fire tricks throughout the afternoon.
Homes Week At Southwestern Veterans’ Center
Food and fun – what’s not to love! Southwestern Veterans’ Center (SWVC) hosted a carnival for the residents during Veterans’ Homes Week to get a chance to play some enjoyable games and eat some delicious food!