Weekend’s proceeds benefit JBLM Fisher House

It’s known to its fans as “BW3” or simply “B-dubs.” And to the delight of many East coast and Midwest transplants, including Servicemembers who have been stationed around the country, the popular sports bar chain Buffalo Wild Wings opened in Tacoma on Monday. Of its more than 800 locations around the country, it’s the first in Washington State. Prior to its official opening, the restaurant had a
“soft opening” Oct. 28 to 30. Food for the weekend’s invitation-only guests was free, and alcoholic beverages were available for just $3. All proceeds from Oct. 28 and 29 were donated to the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Fisher House. “We want to support the military in any way we can,” said Manager Dan Banales. “Washington State doesn’t know us very well, but the military does.”

More than $1,400 was raised on Oct. 28 alone, Banales said, and he predicted he would end up donating at least $2,500 to the Fisher House. “It’s great they did a charity, that they came right in and are helping the community,” said Regina Sender, who stopped by Saturday with husband Brian and sons Connor, 3, and Gavin, 10. “We appreciate that a sports bar like Buffalo Wild Wings, which has a big military following, would think of the Fisher House when opening its new location,” said JBLM Fisher House Manager Jodi Land. “The money they raised for us will help Servicemembers when they need it most.”

The chain, which opened in Ohio in 1982 and is now headquartered in Minneapolis, is starting to expand to the west coast. Known for its “wings, beer and sports,” Buffalo Wild Wings not only features both traditional and boneless wings (with 20 sauce selections, ranging from Sweet Barbeque to Desert Heat), but also burgers, ribs, sandwiches, salads, wraps and more. Local sports memorabilia along with more than 30 flat-screen televisions adorn the walls, and several local microbrews are on tap.

Response to the opening was enthusiastic. “When I heard it was opening, I was excited,” said Ohio transplant and military spouse Natalie Schleupner. “I emailed by husband, who is very jealous that I was going to BW3 while he is deployed.”  “And,” Sender said, “we need another boneless wing place besides Hooters.” Buffalo Wild Wings is located at 4219 S. Steele St., adjacent to the Tacoma Mall. Servicemembers receive a 10-percent discount with ID. For more information call (253) 473-7699.

By Melanie Casey

It’s not every day that a monster truck runs over cars in the PX parking lot.

But last week, an official Bigfoot 4 x 4 was on hand at the Joint Base Lewis-McChord exchange for a series of demonstrations, including engine revving and car crushing. Fans young and old delighted in the spectacle. “It was like, awesome!” said Michael Palma, 4, after watching the truck flatten and fly over two cars Oct. 7.

Sponsored by Firestone, the event featured exhibitions Oct. 7 and 8 of Bigfoot #10, which weighs in at about 10,000 lbs. and features five feet tall tires. Painted in the colors of Major League Baseball, it is the only Chevy in the Bigfoot fleet, said JBLM General Manager Joey Crider, who coordinated the event. “It’s the real deal,” he said.

Each day’s performance was preceded by a check presentation: On Oct. 7, Firestone donated $500 to the JBLM Fisher House; on Oct. 8, it donated $250 to the Boy Scouts and $250 to the Girl Scouts.

Driver Kyle Doyle and crew chief Jim Kramer (one of the original Bigfoot drivers from the 1980s) came out from St. Louis, Mo. specifically for the show. “We like to give back, and it’s a nice thing to do,” said Kramer, who once jumped a Bigfoot truck through the arches of the Los Angeles Coliseum.  “We highly respect our military. I don’t know how they do it, but I’m glad they do. It lets us do what we do.”

By: Melanie Casey

Davieon Siguenza, 9, was all smiles as he sat on Santa’s lap Monday afternoon while Santa’s Helper, Herb Schmeling, delivered gifts and goodies to the families staying at the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Fisher House.

Santa’s visit was part of the home’s annual Christmas in July event, which has been held each summer since about 2004 as a way to give children staying in the home a little holiday cheer. Gifts were donated by Armed Forces Bank along with the JBLM United Services Organization (USO) Center at McChord Field, the corporate members of the Capt. Meriwether Lewis Chapter of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) and Support America’s Armed Forces.

Davieon’s little sister, Amaiyah, 2, also received gifts from Santa on Monday, as did their father, Sgt. Dennis Siguenza,  and other family members staying at the home.

By Melanie Casey

Fisher House families are often living through some of the most difficult days of their lives. Facing illness or injury, Servicemembers and their families often spend their days in and out of the hospital and are under an incredible amount of stress. Sometimes, residents just need somewhere to sit quietly alone to gather their thoughts, take a break and relax. Thanks to Home Depot, residents at the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Fisher House now have a place set aside for just that.

More than 40 volunteers from 10 local Home Depot stores converged on the home’s backyard July 21 and constructed a Relaxation Garden complete with paved walkway, colorful flower beds, solar lighting and garden swings. Since the home, which is located about a half mile from the Madigan Healthcare System on JBLM, doesn’t currently have a volunteer gardener, Home Depot volunteers also took the time to trim hedges, rake pine needles and pull weeds. “When we have nice weather, it will be a place the families will use a lot,” said Jessica Thompson, Fisher House operations assistant. “It will give them another way to get out of the house and a place to relax.”

The project was made possible by an $8,000 grant courtesy of Team Depot, a Home Depot program that helps give back to the community and build relationships, said Kevin Finger, manager of Home Depot store 4708 in Olympia. JBLM Fisher House Manager Jodi Land worked closely with Sarah Waller, associate support department supervisor at store 4708, to put together an idea, plan the project and make it happen. “To have ($8,000), it will be done right and will last,” Land said. “They did a really great job.”

Resident Catherine McGeorge, who is recovering from surgery for an Islet cell tumor, took advantage of the new space over the weekend. “It’s great to be able to get outside and do the things I enjoy doing,” she said. “It makes it more like a home.”

By: Melanie Casey