Jacksonville Elks Lodge members delivered Elks National Veterans Service Commission Welcome Home Kits of household items, food and furniture to two women veterans. U.S. Navy veteran Brandi, who completed the transitioning program through Five Star Veterans Center, received her kit July 28. Donations from members and Our Father’s Housewares included an end table, dressers, nightstands, a kitchen table and chairs, a twin bed and frame, and household items. A patriotic sofa throw was also donated by a local quilting group. The lodge used $434.90 from the ENVSC Welcome Home Kit program, which included $44.10 for food and a new queen bed. The donated household items and furniture amounted to an estimated $847. The members also brought her 9-year-old son a backpack filled with supplies. He was so excited to receive the backpack. He thanked the members and immediately put it on and didn’t take it off the whole time they were unloading items. Pictured are Brandi; Donnie Rowand, House Committee Chair; and David Graham, PER, trustee. The 15th Welcome Home Kit was delivered Aug.11 to a U.S. Air Force veteran and respiratory therapist who was transitioning from Northeast Florida Women Veterans Center. She had already received some household supplies from other agencies the center works with and just needed a few items to fill in the gaps. She was extremely grateful for the lodge’s donations, including food, a nightstand, and a queen bed and frame. She had been sleeping on a thin pallet on the floor, so the bed was greatly appreciated. Donations were estimated at $217, with an additional $372.17 from the Welcome Home Kit program for the food, bed and various household items. Pictured are items from her kit.