Dress code for most balls may be gowns and suits, but on Saturday, Jan. 31, attendees will get decked out in their favorite golf attire for VISTEBall, as they tee up to support Volunteers in Service to the Elderly (VISTE).
In its 21st year, the annual golf-themed fundraiser features games, food, drinks, prizes and auction items to support VISTE’s goal of enabling “elderly persons 70 and above to remain safely and independently in their own homes.”
Community impact
Funds raised through the event go towards general operating expenses that support VISTE’s programs and services including:
- Transportation to medical appointments
- Home-delivered meals
- Supplemental groceries
- In-home care
- Accessibility ramps
VISTE currently serves more than 4,900 local seniors aged 70-105 throughout Lakeland, Bartow, Mulberry and Fort Meade. More than half of the clients served are considered high risk, meaning they are over the age of 79 and below 200% of the federal poverty line.
“We’re thankful for the incredible generosity of the local community, in-kind donations and extensive volunteer base that enable our services to be free of charge,” said Steve Bissonnette, VISTE’s president. “These critical services address food insecurity, social isolation and mobility challenges for local seniors in need.”
More than 1,500 volunteers of all ages assist with VISTE services. | Courtesy of VISTE 
Persons over 70 can receive an accessibility ramp built by VISTE volunteers. | Courtesy of VISTE 
Volunteers help transport clients to medical appointments. | Courtesy of VISTE 
Volunteers prepare supplemental groceries for pickup. | Courtesy of VISTE
Providing Care, Connection and Value
With over 1,500 community members dedicating their time throughout the year, VISTE’s volunteers provide reliable and consistent interaction and companionship to clients who often live alone, are homebound or have limited social supports nearby. For their most vulnerable clients, VISTE’s services can make the difference between being able to remain in their own homes or having to move into institutionalized care.
According to the Genworth – Cost of Care Survey 2024, the median cost of a semiprivate nursing care facility in the Lakeland Area is $139,613 a year. If funded by Medicaid, the annual reimbursement rate is approximately 90% or $125,652 a year. That cost is covered by taxpayer dollars.
By contrast, the average cost to provide VISTE services last year was $349 per client. “Assisting even a small percentage of low-income seniors to remain in their own homes can literally save taxpayers millions of dollars each year,” said Katie Sisson, VISTE’s grant manager.
What to Expect at VISTEBall
When attendees enter the VISTEBall hangar at Sun ‘n Fun, they can expect to find:
- Skee ball machines and golf simulators
- A putting contest where guests can win prizes, such as wine or liquor, for a hole-in-one
- A wine pool, in which participants pay cash to win a randomly selected bottle of wine, ranging from everyday varieties to premium labels
- Serving stations featuring local restaurant specialties to complement the traditional buffet, offering variety for guests who want to eat and play
- Auction prizes displayed from the online auction and the popular Wheelbarrow of Cheer, a wheelbarrow brimming with bottles of wine and liquor
Event Details
When: Saturday, January 31, 2026
Time: 6-9:30 p.m.
Where: Sun ‘n Fun Expo Campus, 3952 James C. Ray Dr, Lakeland, FL 33811Tickets & Sponsorships: Tickets are $75 (21+) and can be purchased here: https://viste.org/about-visteball/
latest news
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.