Service members, families enjoy pre-holiday dinner

Azalea Charities Inc., treated service members and their families to a pre-holiday dinner at Giorgio’s Family Restaurant in Montclair on Dec. 21.
“This holiday meal is a first, but not the last,” pledged Azalea Charities Chairman Frank Lasch.
Azalea Charities of Prince William County is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, incorporated in 2000 and staffed entirely by volunteers. Since its inception in June 2004, it has distributed more than $500,000 in funding, reaching out to veterans from as far back as World War II.
Azalea Charities provides money for the purchase of needed comfort items, which are disbursed across the country through the American Red Cross to military medical centers, through volunteer services programs to the VA Medical Centers and to Fisher House rehabilitation centers.
Partnering with Azalea Charities to provide funding for the dinner were Shaull Elementary School in Enola, Pa., and SSI Services in Falls Church,
“It’s great to be able to give a little bit back to those who serve our country and help protect our freedom and give us the opportunity to run our business,” said Arthur Lampros, who family has owned Giorgio’s for 10 years.
The service members and their families were treated to a ham and turkey dinner with all the fixings and entertainment by tenor Patrick Mulhern from nearby Nokesville.
Wounded soldiers from Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C,, their families, and family members of deployed service members attended the gathering, which featured a surprise visit from Santa Claus, who handed out toys.
Iana Rivers’ husband is a Quantico-based Marine who deployed to Iraq for the second time three months ago. She attended the dinner with her children, Janae, 6 months, and Jyhvon, 5.
“It’s really nice,” she said. “This is a nice get together.”
Justine Young of Manassas, whose husband is currently serving with the Army in Iraq, enjoyed the event with her children, Katie, 16 months, and Liam.
“It’s wonderful to have so many people being kind to us while my husband is away,” she said.
Lasch also announced plans to increase fundraising efforts.
“With the numerous requests from our wounded military men and women and their families, there is a greater need to raise funds,” he said. “This fiscal year, we are hoping to raise $500,000 for our Aid for Wounded Soldiers effort and an additional $250,000 for our core community charities. We are looking to the community and businesses from Arlington to Fredericksburg to adopt Azalea Charities as their charity.”
Azalea Charities raises funds for Aid to Wounded Soldiers and its community charities through membership fees, private donations and sponsorship of special events such as the Marine Corps Marathon and the Azalea Classic Pro-Am Invitational Golf Classic, which is held each May. Contributions may be made online at azaleacharities.org.