February 26, 2012 – 4 East

Back in July when we were setting dates for 2012, by the end of the evening Stephanie, Elizabeth and Mary were well on their way to planning February’s “tween” – soups, salads and breads for a cold winter day!

For those who don’t know, a “tween” is a smaller kind of luncheon, more laid back than the larger luncheons, smaller group going in, smaller budget, very few if any niftie-gifties with the focus being on the food rather than all of the other stuff we do at a regular luncheon. Early in 2011 some of the volunteers expressed the desire to have the opportunity to serve the families and patients a little more often so we came up with the “tweens”.

However, knowing we were committed to the Mercy Hall and 5 East luncheons already on the schedule, and that we had plans to expand to the Richmond VA Medical Center where some of the patients go for rehabilitation, funding was a concern. I think the original agreement we came up with was $150.00 budget and the volunteers supplied the paper products. “Tweens” were supposed to be “light fare and smoothies” in the early afternoon. We received permission to add some dates and for the months we were at Mercy Hall, we also did a tween

After a few “tweens” the checkbook looked good enough that we were able to up the budget a little bit. Add in donations from friends of the volunteers and the “tweens” were more like a regular luncheon – certainly not “light fare and smoothies”! Never underestimate Marine and Navy Moms when they set their mind to something!

Stephanie, Mary, Elizabeth, Sean, Jillian and Connie hosted this Sunday’s “tween”. Because of generous donations from Mike’s friends in Pennsylvania and from Tee it up with the Troops, we were able to up the budget for the tweens again.

Since it was February and February is the Boy Scouts of America’s birthday month, and this is also the 100th anniversary year for the Rank of Eagle Scout, and because we know we have served Eagle Scouts and Boy Scout troop leaders at past luncheons, they did a “Blue and Gold” theme. Katie’s neighbor sent some cards made by her Cub Scouts to hand out during the luncheon.

Stephanie & Co. had a great menu! Chicken noodle soup, potato soup, omato soup, chili, tossed salad w/ assorted dressings, with tuna salad and chicken salad on the side along with macaroni & potato salad, fruit salad, breads, biscuits & rolls, PB & J’s, a fixings’ bar with sour cream, shredded cheese, fresh & corn salsas, bacon bits, croutons, butter & jelly, desserts – brownies & cookies, Smoooooothies and assorted drinks.

By all accounts, the luncheon was a tremendous hit! I heard from Stephanie that afternoon, Mary the next day, and Connie a little later in the week. Connie is one of our newer volunteers. She’s still amazed that we start with an empty room, a bunch of tubs, controlled chaos happens, and then all at once it comes together! Well… we’ve had a little practice…

Sorry. No pictures of the food for this luncheon. Everyone was very busy setting up and serving. I was told they set up a table for the soups, a table for the the sides like a soup and salad bar, and a table for the smoothies and desserts. Soup was served in the crock pots and the salads in the chafing dishes with ice under them. I heard the smoothies were veeery popular… wonder if it had anything to do with the server?

We are very grateful to everyone who supported this luncheon, and extremely honored for the privilege of serving our Nation’s Warriors and their families.

Thank you for hosting the luncheon Stephanie, Mary, Elizabeth, Sean, Jillian, and Connie!

Job WELL done!

Until next time, continued prayers for our military and their families.

Love and Hugs,

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