MARYSVILLE — Residents and staff members of Merrill Gardens of Marysville dished up their plates and kicked up their heels to help raise funds for the United Service Organizations June 16.

The residents and team members at all 57 Merrill Gardens retirement communities in 10 states celebrated “Support Our Troops” Week June 13-19. Marysville’s Merrill Gardens invited family members, friends and the general public to enjoy two pasta meals June 16, with a dance in between, and to make a minimum $10 donation for each diner, will all proceeds going directly to the USO.

The USO has been providing support to military members and their families since 1941, and Merrill Gardens’ meals raised $30,000 nationwide for the USO in just one week.

“We paid for the food and beverages, so that we were able to give all our proceeds to the USO to continue the important work that they do,” said Barbara Brotherton, community relations director for Merrill Gardens of Marysville.

Brotherton praised the USO for its 69 years of “delivering its special brand of comfort, morale and recreational services to the military,” during times of war and peace alike, as well as for acting as “the bridge between the American public and the U.S. military.”

“It’s a lot of hard work to do an event of this magnitude, but it’s all worth it for such a great cause,” Marysville Merrill Gardens Dining Services Manager Karen Jordon said.

Merrill Gardens General Manager Michelle Malhiot expressed her thanks to those who contributed, and to the representatives of the Navy and Marine Corps recruiters’ offices in Marysville and Northgate who were able to make time to take part in the day’s activities.

“We are grateful to them for coming and interacting with our residents and guests,” Malhiot said. “When we all work together, it is amazing what can be accomplished.”