Last weekend the Clearwater Legion Riders held their annual New Year’s party at the St. Cloud VA for their patients who are in treatment. 

Members purchased hundreds of dollars’ worth of prizes with proceeds from their Homeless Vets Run held last August. They also received donations of pizza from Bernatello’s, ice cream and root beer from Coborn’s Clearwater, pop from Bernick’s, and additional prizes from other sources. 

During the party attendees played board games, cribbage, bean bags, and pool. Music was played and drawings were held for prizes – all participants received a prize. 

The Legion Riders have been hosting a New Year’s party at the VA for over 10 years and have received comments such as “I’ve never celebrated New Year’s without alcohol before and had so much fun,” and “Thanks for taking the time to do this for us.”

Many veterans are at low points in their lives before going into treatment, so it means a lot to them when strangers take the time to lift their spirits while they’re away from home over the holidays.

The Legion Riders hadn’t been able to participate in the party for the past two years because of the pandemic so this year the celebration took on even more meaning. During the times the Legion Riders weren’t able to join in the fun the VA was gracious enough to hold the party, although the Legion Riders still supplied everything. 

The St. Cloud VA is located on Veterans Drive. Its vision is to provide veterans the world-class benefits and services they have earned – and to do so by adhering to the highest standards of compassion, commitment, excellence, professionalism, integrity, accountability, and stewardship.