MAPVA BINGO AT THE LAWTON VETERANS CENTER

What a perfect day for Bingo... As we left Oklahoma City it was cold and raining, by the time we hit Lawton the weather was sunny and fairly warm for the season. Walking into the bingo room I knew this was going to be an event bigger than we have ever held. Director, noted author, veteran, and professional bingo caller Hodge Wood  was already manning the bingo machine preparing for another year of error free letter and number calling. The tables were decorated with handmade Christmas Ornaments from the Church group courtesy of Wayne and Junta Wells. We had four handmade quilts and an anonymous donor dropped off five handmade Afghans. With the gift cards in hand we were ready to go. MAPVA purchased the forty one gift cards ranging from $10 to $25. Seeing that stack of cards the veterans were anxious and ready to start. As we sat waiting for more veterans to join us, Junta and the two youths from the church group got busy handing out the homemade cookies and drinks to the veterans. After the final game of bingo we knew we had made a successful visit to the center, with a record 58 veterans playing bingo. All the veterans were slow to leave, each wanting to thank us all several times for the fun day and cookies. The MAPVA would like to thank all the volunteers who gave of themselves so freely to show these fine men and women at the veterans center just what we can do. A special thanks to Bill Davis, Chairman of the Commanche County Veterans Council, Renee Lewis, MAPVA Volunteer, Kaden Vande, youth volunteer, and to the Wells' for thier efforts.