Veterans Community Center hosts annual Hawaiian Luau fundraiser – Citrus Heights Sentinel

By Sara Beth Williams–
The Veterans Community Center in Citrus Heights will host its fourth annual Hawaiian Luau fundraiser on Saturday, August 24th.

The festivities are set to begin at 5 p.m. and will include a buffet dinner with Hawaiian foods such as pulled pork and Hawaiian fruit, said Jeanne Rounsavell, owner of the Veterans Community Center. Other staples such as potato salad and pasta salad will also be offered.

According to an event flyer, the event will feature live music by Nativ Sun and a dance performance by Ka Pá Hula Kalama O Ha’aheo. The Hawaiian dance group has performed at the fundraiser luau for four years, Rounsavell said. According to the group’s website, it offers lessons in ancient and contemporary hula, ‘Ori Tahiti, Hawaiian-style ukulele and Tahitian drumming.

Rounsavell expects between 60 and 100 people to attend the event, depending on the weather. More will come in cooler weather. Rounsavell said the 2023 Luau fundraiser will have to be held indoors because of the hot weather.

“We put every penny into the center,” Rounsavell said, adding that the Hawaiian Luau is one of two major fundraisers held annually. All funds raised go toward upkeep of the building and meals provided to veterans during the week. Some of the funds also go toward future projects.

Rounsavell listed several special projects she would like to work on in the future, including a stage and deck for the back patio area. In the past, funds raised have been used to modernize the center by adding an electric gate and upgrading the center’s sign to electronically display upcoming events, 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 [email protected]. For additional event information, visit the center’s Facebook page.

The Veterans Community Center is located at 6921 Sylvan Rd. The center was founded in 2013 by Jeanne and Jim Rounsavell and is maintained by unpaid volunteers.