Our Military & Veterans

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Written by Hollywood West Elks

On May 7, Hollywood West Elks Lodge #2365 hosted the South Southeast District’s Army of Hope picnic, as they have the largest facility and grounds to accommodate many people. This event raised $1,101 to benefit active-duty military personnel and their families. The five lodges in the district joined together to sponsor the picnic, which was open to Elks members. Lodge members donated the food and worked the grill. 

At the day’s check presentation are Paula Slavinski, Delray Beach Lodge trustee; Ron Locke, PDD, Army of Hope State Chair; Charlie Winter, Delray Beach Lodge Army of Hope Chair; Les Nelson, Delray Beach Lodge Exalted Ruler; Gina Albright, Hollywood West Lodge Exalted Ruler; and Jim Blanchard, PDD, Hollywood West Lodge.

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Written by Cristin Rumler

On June 12, Sanford Lodge donated an Olhausen regulation-size pool table for the domiciliary at the Lake Nona VA facility. This facility did not have a pool table but now the many veterans residing there will be able to enjoy it! The table, which was donated by a lodge member, was delivered June 12 to the Lake Baldwin VA for transfer to the Lake Nona facility.

Pictured is the pool table being delivered.

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Written by Cristin Rumler

Utilizing an Elks National Veterans Service Commission program at no cost to the lodge, Sanford Elks Lodge #1241 donated 200 square feet of bulk leather hide, valued at $4.50 per square foot, and 78 therapeutic craft kits containing leather moccasin craft kits and various wood craft kits, retailed at $2,235, to the Lake Baldwin VA Domiciliary. The veterans plan to create belts with the bulk leather hide and use the various kits to assist in their therapeutic treatment for PTSD. The bulk leather was delivered May 1 and the craft kits were delivered May 16.

Pictured are Mike Weaver, head of Lake Baldwin VA Domiciliary; Fred Holmes, VA volunteer and currently the oldest VA volunteer there; and Donald Soderblom, Lodge Veterans Services Chair.

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Written by Diane Sharp

On June 13, Largo Lodge members went shopping for nonperishable food for Pinellas Safe Harbor, a homeless shelter for veterans and others in Pinellas County. Members spent the lodge’s $2,500 Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to purchase individually packaged fruit, snacks, water, juices and other nonperishable food.

Pictured are one of the three flats of food. Also pictured are Bob Behm, retired LTC, Lodge Veterans Chair, and Diane Sharp, Exalted Ruler, at the store.

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Written by Carol Lee Spages

On June 12, New Port Richey Lodge members donated 150 veteran's creed cards, American flag pins and stars cut from retired American flags mounted to thank you cards for a public veterans' pinning ceremony, which was held at a local funeral home. These were given to all the veterans attending the ceremony, and the remaining items were distributed to veterans in local long-term care facilities. The lodge was the only organization besides the funeral home to donate something and was publicly acknowledged for the contribution. Many veterans and members of the public attended. Veterans received a certificate of honor and two pins. The Young Marines presented the colors and government and military dignitaries made speeches. It ended with the playing of taps and was followed by a catered lunch.

Pictured are Elizabeth Groves, lodge member; veteran Victor Pence; and Fred Spages, PER. All are Air Force veterans.

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Written by Ken Fabiani, PER

Zephyrhills Lodge has been furnishing veterans’ homes since 2019. On May 12, Army veteran Aaron Harrison moved in to his new home in Tampa, Florida, which he obtained with help from the HUD VASH program. The Zephyrhills Lodge Veterans Committee has been working with this program. Harrison is the 253rd veteran to have his home furnished by the lodge. Member Jim Cross, volunteer Howard Lundsford, and Ken Fabiani, PER, assisted with the move.On May 15, Navy veteran Bernard Lewis was the 254th veteran whose Tampa home was furnished by the lodge. All furniture and items were purchased with more than $3,500 through the Elks National Foundation Welcome Home Kit. Assisting in the move were volunteers Howard Lundsford and Nick Stritzinger and Ken Fabiani, PER. On May 24, veteran Vincent Chisholm, with help from his caseworker from HUD VASH and lodge member Larry Decena and volunteer Howard Lundsford, moved in to his new home in south Tampa, furnished by the lodge. On May 26, Marine veteran Ismael Rodriguez is the 258th veteran to have a new home furnished, after receiving his house with help from St. Vincent de Paul. 

Pictured is Ismael Rodriguez.