Pizza, Paws & Play: Muster & Mingle Delivers Old-Fashioned Fun

On Tuesday, May 6th, we gathered at the Miami County YMCA Activity Center for our May Muster & Mingle, where veterans, caregivers, and families came together for an evening of connection, learning, and good old-fashioned fun.

The evening kicked off with updates on upcoming events from our Director, Valerie, followed by a prayer over the meal. Dinner was generously donated and included plenty of pizza and fresh salads—enough to satisfy every appetite. As plates filled, so did the room with laughter and warm conversation.

After dinner, we welcomed John from 4 Paws for Ability, a non-profit that trains and places service dogs with children and veterans with disabilities. John shared insights about their in-house breeding program, how dogs are selected and trained based on individual needs, and the vital work being done at their campus in Xenia, OH. The crowd especially enjoyed meeting Nugget, a lovable service dog-in-training who stole a few hearts during his visit.

With bellies full and spirits high, it was time to shift gears into game mode! We set up a cup-clearing race that got everyone on their feet and cheering. Veterans faced off in friendly competition, with Jim and George breaking the ice before some lighthearted rivalries emerged—especially between married couples and between Valerie and young Josh (son of Tim, a proud USMC veteran). Josh talked a big game and came close to taking the win!

The night wrapped up with a championship showdown among our heat winners, and we crowned George and Nancy as our official champions of the night.

The energy was contagious, and the sense of camaraderie and joy reminded us of why gatherings like this matter so much. We’re already looking forward to the next one—hope to see you there! For a full list of our upcoming events, click here to be redirected to our events page.