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Everything is ready for the birthday party in the dining room on the ninth floor. There are candles, cake, special birthday napkins for the guests of honor---“two of my favorites,” says Red Cross volunteer Rose Chepeck with a wink. Her wink is a farce---all the patients at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee are Rose’s favorites.

She’s not alone. Every one of the Red Cross volunteers that work with her every Wednesday at the medical center have “favorites” they tease and entertain with activities, refreshments, a competitive game of bingo and an occasional birthday party.

“We have certain ones we know,” confides Annette, who has been volunteering for more than a year. “We want to make them happy so we give them whatever they ask for, unless it’s something they can’t have. Then we tell them ‘now don’t get me in trouble.’”

“These people do great work and they are so popular,” says one of the VA staff members as he hurries off to help another veteran into the room.

For a few hours every Wednesday, Rose’s small group of volunteers focuses on the 20 veterans receiving treatment at the VA Medical Center for various ailments. The veterans watch bands on a DVD that Rose brings in and throw a ball around. After the volunteers pass out a quick treat, the group and their family members enjoy a rousing game of bingo.

Mike, a volunteer, calls the bingo game, and the veterans’ wheelchairs don’t stop them from battling through the game. Susy, one of the veteran’s wives, good humouredly heckles the bingo caller while helping her husband play. Bill, one of the veterans, slips his prize---a $1 coupon book---to another player whenever he wins. Everyone who can’t lift their arms to mark their cards receives assistance from one of the Red Cross volunteers.

“Thank God they volunteer,” Rose says, watching her volunteers mingle and the veterans laugh. “Everyone one of the men and women here look so forward to this time.”

The American Red Cross in Southeastern Wisconsin relies on donations of time and money so they can provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies in Dodge, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth and Waukesha counties. To donate your time, please visit our Volunteer page. Financial donations can be made online through our secure contribution site.You can also support the Red Cross online by becoming a fan on our facebook page and following us on Twitter.