On Sept. 11, St. Augustine Lodge presented checks, food and other items to Veterans Village Home for Heroes. The Veterans Council of St. Johns County and Home Again St. Johns collaborated in procuring funding to purchase the Old Town Motel on Anastasia Island. The Florida Department of Veterans Affairs provided a $3 million grant to purchase the motel and refurbish it. It has 22 units and will serve as transitional or permanent housing, depending on the veteran. Since opening, the facility has housed 35 veterans. Sarah McLevy, Lodge Grant Coordinator, recognized a need to stock the on-site food pantry and utilized the $2,000 Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant. Brian Welliver, Exalted Ruler, worked with her to organize the donations. Cathy Walsh, charity chair, asked members to donate items such as food, hygienic supplies, paper products and water. They responded by donating approximately $2,000 worth of goods. Jessica Littlefield, Elk and Navy Seabee veteran, acquired a used freezer from her employer, loaded it into her vehicle and delivered it to the village. This will increase the type of food that can be provided for the veterans. As this motel was older, it needed major renovations, so McLevy applied for the $4,000 Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant and received a matching $4,000 grant from the Harry-Anna Trust Fund. They purchased new air conditioners for failing units, a multitude of power tools and other items needed to repair and maintain the village. Retired LTC Sarah McLevy, president of the Military Officers  Association of America – Ancient City Chapter, led her organization in throwing a barbecue, attended by eight veterans and 12 volunteers.

Pictured are Janet Barrett, Leading Knight; Cathy Walsh, charity chair; Kyle Payne and Rachel Fulghum, Home Again St. Johns; Paul Beachem, MOAA-ACC; Jim Bellamy, Veterans Chair; Gayle Cargilo, MOAA-ACC; James Cargilo, member and MOAA-ACC; Steve Muskett, MOAA-ACC; Brian Welliver, Exalted Ruler; Sarah McLevy, Lodge Grant Coordinator and MOAA-ACC; and Kevin Walsh and Jessica Littlefield, members. Also pictured is Jessica Littlefield with the donated freezer.