Michelle Grant, the daughter of a Korean War era U.S. Navy veteran, is the general manager of the Veterans Community Center in Citrus Heights. She holds a photo of her late father who is included in the center’s memorial Wall of Honor. Photo by Thomas J. Sullivan

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - May has been an exceptionally busy month at the Veterans Community Center at 6921 Sylvan Road in Citrus Heights as volunteers participating in the annual multi-community Big Day of Service (BDOS) on Saturday, May 16, completed a variety of projects around the grounds just ahead of a planned annual Memorial Day observance.

The all-volunteer Ben Ali Shrine Band, which has performed in the Sacramento region for more than 40 years, will present its free Memorial Day concert of patriotic music and popular favorites at noon Monday, May 25 at the Veterans Community Center under the baton of director Ron Wainright followed by a reception.

Some 20 Big Day of Service volunteers worked on Saturday morning to spread fresh gravel in the main parking lot, weed, bundle firewood and bag recent surplus yard sale items for donation to veterans in need before enjoying a hearty lunch.

Several felled trees on the property were recently cut and split by a member as part of a firewood fundraiser, she said. A large pile of fresh firewood was organized and made ready for public distribution.

“We really appreciate all of your help today,” said Michelle Grant, center manager and the daughter of a Korean War era U.S. Navy veteran, to Big Day of Service volunteers who gathered for lunch.

Grant succeeded the center’s co-founder, the late Jeanne Rounsavell, who served as center president for many years before her passing in 2025.

Grant brought her late father to many of the center’s events before she became involved as its event coordinator. She oversees day-to-day operations of Veterans Community Center as its general manager and it’s a role she greatly enjoys.

“We have a wonderful group of volunteers and staff who help continue to make the Veterans Community Center a welcoming place in the local community,” she said.

Jean Rounsavell helped found the nonprofit Veterans Community Center in 2013 with her late husband, Jim Rounsavell, with the goal of creating a place where all veterans could feel welcome and supported. Jim Rounsavell died in 2021.

Last year’s Veterans Day observance at the historic center at 6921 Sylvan Road was the first without Jeanne Rounsavell, who died on her birthday last August at age 86.

The Veterans Community Center was originally built in 1862 and opened as Sylvan School before serving as a community center for more than 40 years. Historical photos and artifacts on display remind visitors of that rich past heritage.

Acquired by the couple in 2013, the center, which has yellow paint and a rooftop cupola acknowledging the schoolhouse it once was, has become a place for veterans of all military branches in the community to gather among their peers.

The center serves up to 150 veterans each month by providing meals twice a week. In addition, veterans and their guests are welcome to use the center's recreational amenities and educational resources during weekday hours, said facilities manager Vince Robles.

On August 22, the center will host an annual Hawaiian-themed luau dinner event with tickets to go on sale in early June. Live musical entertainment will include a tribute performance honoring the legendary “King of Rock and Roll,” Elvis Presley.

“The center recently hosted a very successful annual spaghetti dinner fundraiser in early May to benefit our ongoing veteran’s programs,” Grant said. “In all, we served over 55 guests.”

Grant took time to especially recognize Gino Bartucco, a Vietnam-era veteran for his enthusiastic Italian spirit in providing fresh flowers in honor of Mother’s Day for the dinner event and coordinating live entertainment which featured the duet of Carlo Solivan and Louie Lodi who provided musical entertainment. Volunteers of the Sunrise Christian Food Bank also generously donated food to the meal which featured spaghetti, ravioli, salad and garlic bread to guests.

The Veterans Community Center also provides a "Safe Room" center for all military veterans, particularly seniors, disabled and those who suffer with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), providing emotional and physiological benefits through socialization, activity, counseling and recreational therapies.  

On Saturday, an adjacent vacant parking lot was used by the nearby Veterans Community Center with consent for overflow parking during the recent Big Day of Service (BDOS) special event.

A preliminary site plan to split two vacant lots on that lot for the purpose of constructing two duplex residential units on 6941 Sylvan Road next door to the Veterans Community Center is under review by the Citrus Heights Planning Department.

Grant said the owner is continuing to work with the Veterans Community Center concerning his plans for the parcel.

The Veterans Community Center is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Brunch and lunch alternate on Wednesdays. The center serves lunch to veterans on Tuesdays and Thursdays for a suggested donation from 11 to 11:30 a.m. The center will be closed on Thanksgiving Day.

For a complete full list of weekly and monthly activities during November, visit veteranscommunitycenterch.com or email [email protected].