SOUP BENEFIT A BONANZA FOR DISABLED VETS.

Byline: Bettie Rencoret Senior columnist

Disabled veterans will benefit from a Soup Bonanza scheduled 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday in the community building at Lane Park.

The annual event will spotlight disabled veterans and also will call attention to the 1999 centennial of the California Federation of Woman's Clubs and the national Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, parent organizations of the local co-sponsors.

Rita Wood, chairwoman of the Quartz Hill Woman's Club, and Merrie Proffitt, president of VFW Post 3000 Auxiliary, hope the proceeds will be more than enough to send two disabled veterans to the Wheelchair Olympics this summer in Puerto Rico.

``Too many of our veterans came out of the national conflicts scathed, and we need to take care of them,'' said Wood, who also serves on the board of the Lancaster Veterans Home Committee. ``When their heroism is demonstrated again by their courage to compete in spite of major disabilities, the least we can do is support those efforts.''

The Wheelchair Olympics, which is a modified version of the Olympic Games, is held annually and attracts paraplegics and quadriplegics from across the nation. They vie for gold, silver and bronze medals in such sports as swimming, table tennis, bowling, eight-ball pool and the slalom (obstacle course).

``Every year, our veterans turn out to be winners,'' Wood said. ``Even if they don't take the medals, we know they are all winners just for participating, and we're proud of them.''

Committee members from both women's groups met recently to work out a menu and other details.

From the QHWC were President Helen Beam, Sierra Cahuenga District President Alta Crusan, SCD past President Pat Kerschner, Reba Nash, Mary O'Malley, Evelyn Anderson, Polly Rehm and Doris Critser.

Representing Auxiliary 3000 were Proffitt, Doris Kuch and Pat McKim.

For a $4 donation, participants can choose from chicken noodle, vegetable beef and cheesy potato soups, along with breads, desserts and a beverage.

There also will be a country store, a gift boutique and a bake sale. ``The gals have been working pretty hard on this, as they do on everything they attempt,'' Crusan said. ``As a result of last year's successful project they decided to do it again. We have every confidence that the community will respond with even greater enthusiasm this year.''

LANCASTER - Seniors who need assistance filing their income tax returns will find ready help at the Antelope Valley and Palmdale Senior centers.

Volunteer tax preparers, trained by professional instructors, are available at 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, courtesy of the American Association of Retired Persons, the Internal Revenue Service and the Franchise Tax Board.

For more information call [phone].

LANCASTER - Here are this week's menus for the senior life nutrition sites in Lancaster, Palmdale and Pearblossom. Meals include bread and a beverage for a suggested $2 donation.

Today: Hot turkey sandwich, mashed potatoes, carrots, marinated beets and apple.

Tuesday: Baked fish fillet, parsleyed noodles, stewed tomatoes, salad and pineapple chunks.

Wednesday: Hamburger, macaroni salad, cauliflower and carrots, lettuce salad and fruit.

Thursday: Pinto beans with ham, corn bread, broccoli, salad and lemon pudding.

Friday: Baked chicken, potatoes au gratin, peas and carrots, coleslaw, and apple brown betty.

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Photo

PHOTO Helen Beam, left, Rita Wood, Merrie Proffitt and Alta Crusan make preparations for the annual Soup Bonanza, set Friday at Lane Park.

Bettie Rencoret/Special to the Daily News