Merrill Gardens benefit Friday raises money for USO, troops

By Dean Radford • June 11, 2010 8:29 pm
A 17-piece band played the music of the 1940s for dancing to and as a backdrop to a fundraiser at Merrill Gardens at Renton Centre Friday afternoon for the USO.
A 17-piece band played the music of the 1940s for dancing to and as a backdrop to a fundraiser at Merrill Gardens at Renton Centre Friday afternoon for the USO.

Merrill Gardens was a swingin’ place Friday, all for a good cause, the USO.

The retirement community on Burnett in downtown Renton is part of Merrill Gardens’ corporate effort to raise money for the organization that makes life easier for the country’s service men and women and their families.

The Friday event capped a weeklong Support Our Troops Week at Merrill Gardens, during which many residents shared memories and photos of those who served the nation in time of war.

The main fundraiser was a raffle of services, good things to eat and activities. A dinner capped the afternoon event that lasted until 6 p.m. Friday.

Music from the swing era of the 1940s was provided by a 17-piece band. Military personnel mingled with the crowd of seniors, including, undoubtedly, those who served in the nation’s armed forces.

Resident Maury Marler was enjoying the music and a bite to eat.

“I love that music,” he said. “They don’t make music like that any more.”

The band drew couples to the dance floor, while others watched and visited in the large dining room.

Renton’s Merrill Gardens is the first of the corporation’s 53 retirement centers to host the fundraiser, according to General Manager Shelley Thompson.