Bingo, Coffee, and Good Company at Veterans' Manor

Saturday Bingo at Whole Way House's Veterans' Manor in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside is always a treat– and the residents make sure you know it from the moment you arrive.

As our volunteers walk down the street toward the black gate of the seniors' residence, residents are already outside waiting to greet them. They offer a warm hello, we ask if they're coming to Bingo, and they tell us: “Of course!” We let them know we'll see them inside at 1 PM on the dot, then they actually follow us in right away (notably not at 1 PM). They settle into the activity area and wait patiently, as we get everything set up for the game. These fun, happy exchanges are always a warm reminder of why we need to keep coming back.

On April 25th, 2026, a small group of regular and new Volunteer Wave members joined the all-male, mostly veterans, senior community at Veterans' Manor for a full hour of Bingo. Avery, one of our Volunteer Wave members, took on the role of Bingo caller for the day. When the computer was accidentally refreshed mid-game, the residents took it (mostly) in stride; it was a small hiccup that kept things interesting without slowing anyone down. People joked around with our volunteers for the unexpected change, but kept it light. The room refocused shortly after. Residents sipped on their personalized coffee orders and nibbled on tea cookies, and the game carried on.

It was a quietly joyful afternoon. Concentration was high, conversation was warm, and laughter and applause broke out whenever someone called Bingo– which happened more than usual! Many residents won multiple times throughout the hour, walking away with several prizes and plenty of bragging rights.

As the summer season approaches, we're looking forward to hosting more events at Veterans’ Manor. We can’t wait to welcome more volunteers who are on work and school breaks to join us for more Saturday Bingo and Coffee and Chat events at Veterans' Manor. There are always more stories to share and more connections to be made. Keep an eye on Bloomerang for upcoming opportunities to spend time with some of Vancouver's older and wiser generations this summer!