Enjoying the festivities are BJ, Judy and Alex of Citrus Heights.

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - Volunteers at the Citrus Heights Veterans Community Center on Sylvan Road are no stranger to hosting events that bring veterans and the community together. On June 22, they hosted the annual spaghetti dinner fundraiser. 

“We raised almost $2,500. We’re really, really thrilled with the generosity of the community and our veterans. It always warms my heart,” said administrative assistant Laurie Thornton.

 Volunteer chef Greg Ponath adds his special touch to the marinara sauce donated by Taste of Tuscany Ristorante.

On Saturday, more than 60 family and friends of the Veterans Community Center filled the outdoor event area to enjoy food and drink, music, camaraderie and a chance to walk away with one or more of 40 raffle prizes.

Festivities commenced with the posting of colors by the Citrus Heights Police Department’s volunteer color guard led by Sgt. David Jones.

 The Citrus Heights Police Department's volunteer color guard set the tone for the event with Posting of Colors.

Large shade clothes and misting machines kept attendees and the band comfortable, despite the three-digit temperature.

Dinner consisted of salad, fresh bread sticks and spaghetti. The marinara sauce was donated by Taste of Tuscany Ristorante in Citrus Heights and made into a culinary treat by volunteer chef Greg Ponath. Dessert was a nice slice of cold lemon or traditional tiramisu.

Uncle John’s Band, led by Gary Beamon, a faithful supporter of the Citrus Heights Veterans Community Center, played for almost two hours, accepting only tips at the end of the night. The crowd enjoyed the band’s wide array of popular ’70s and ’80s classic country hits.

 Uncle John's Band, led by Gary Beamon, is a favorite at the Citrus Heights Veterans Community Center with veterans and guests.

Citrus Heights Vice-Mayor Jayna Karpinski-Costa, Councilmember Tim Schaefer and City Manager Ash Feeney were in attendance.

 Citrus Heights Vice-Mayor Jayna Karpinski-Costa walked away with a handmade planter box built and donated by General Services director Regina Cave.

Luck would have it that Schaefer and Karpinski-Costa walked away with two of the most popular prizes. Schaefer held the winning ticket for a vintage black and white photo of 1980s and 1990’s country supergroup The Highwaymen, which included Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson.

 City Councilmember Tim Schafer took home a vintage photograph of the 1980s and '90s country supergroup, The Highwaymen. Mickey Mouse was for his daughter.

Karpinski-Costa won an elegant handmade planter box built and donated by General Services director Regina Cave.  When asked what she will put in the box, Jayna replied, “cats.”

Event sponsors were Armstrong Plumbing, Taste of Tuscany Ristorante, owned by Citrus Heights residents Jeremy and Natalee Price, Sacramento County Supervisor Sue Frost and Airport Limousine Service.

Citrus Heights Veterans Community Center workers are all volunteers. Funds raised will help with operational costs and support the various programs and activities that benefit veterans and their families.

For questions about the center or to volunteer, call Thornton at 916-969-6489 or email [email protected].