AARP Hearing Center
AARP
Sometimes the simplest events create the strongest connections.
AARP La Crosse volunteer Sharon Zimmer recently saw an opportunity to partner with the Harry J. Olson Senior Center by adding an ice cream social to the center's National Hot Dog Day celebration. The community lunch drew a full crowd and featured special guests including State Senator Brad Pfaff, Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey, members of the La Crosse Police Department, and even Hank, the department's therapy canine, who enjoyed his own dish of vanilla ice cream.
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While the ice cream was a hit, the real focus of the afternoon was bringing people together.
Because social connection plays an important role in overall well-being and brain health, AARP volunteers Jody Cook, Kris Wirkus, and Sue Ganschow led attendees in Bingo & Mingle, a social icebreaker activity designed to spark conversations among participants. More than 75 attendees moved throughout the room meeting new people and filling their bingo cards by finding individuals who matched prompts such as "Can speak two languages" or "Can do a celebrity impression."
The activity quickly transformed the room into a hub of laughter, conversation, and new friendships as people discovered shared interests and unexpected talents.
Making the event successful took a team effort. Mike Murphy helped prepare for the day by delivering event materials to the senior center. During the social, Terry Wirkus welcomed guests as they arrived, while Karen Ekiss kept the ice cream flowing, expertly serving vanilla, chocolate, or a mixture of both to eager attendees. Volunteers Gail Schneider and Lin Downer also represented AARP Wisconsin at the event, connecting with attendees and helping foster the welcoming atmosphere that made the afternoon such a success.
The event also left a lasting impression on the volunteers themselves.
In a follow-up email to AARP Wisconsin staff, volunteer Jody Cook reflected on the experience:
"I thoroughly enjoyed the ice cream social at Harry J. Olson Senior Center. What a great place and so many friendly people! I am so glad I was available to attend and volunteer."
The ice cream social demonstrated the power of community partnerships and volunteer engagement to create meaningful opportunities for connection. Whether residents came for the hot dogs, the ice cream, or the chance to meet new people, they left with something even more valuable: a stronger sense of belonging.
For AARP volunteers in La Crosse, that's the sweetest reward of all.
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