Our Military & Veterans

Details

Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER

On Aug. 8, the Pensacola Beach Lodge Veterans Committee members hosted a coffee and doughnuts table at the Pensacola VA Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care Clinic for visiting veterans attending medical appointments.

Pictured are Carey Seigle, District Veterans Chair, and Michelle Poole, Vice Chair.

Details

Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER

On June 24, Pensacola Beach Elks Lodge #497 donated $1,000 to the VA Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System to support the HUD-VASH (Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing) program through CDCE (Center for Development and Civic Engagement). This contribution will provide approximately 125 canteen meals to local veterans in need.

Pictured are Ken Branch, District Deputy and U.S. Navy veteran, and Angela Heflin, CDCE service specialist.

Details

Written by West Citrus Elks

On July 3, the West Citrus Elks Lodge Veterans Committee donated 30 bags and three tents for veterans living in the woods to B.A.S.I.C.S. United Inc. (Brothers and Sisters in Christ Service United), a Florida nonprofit outreach striving to help transform the lives of those experiencing homelessness living in the woods in Citrus County. The bags included water, ramen noodles, hygiene items, emergency blanket, mosquito bands, mini flashlights and disposable poncho. A representative from B.A.S.I.C.S. gives these bags to the veterans when they first meet them in the woods. Funds for this project came from the Florida State Elks Association’s matching Beacon Grant.

Pictured are members Susan Adams, Kristy Jocelyn and Eve Emmerling.

Details

Written by West Citrus Elks

On June 26, the West Citrus Elks Lodge Veterans Committee donated eight Welcome Home Kits to the St. Vincent DePaul mission, using funds from the Elks National Veterans Service Commission. St. Vincent de Paul works to help unhoused veterans regain employment and a permeant home. Most of these veterans were living in the woods or in their cars or from place to place with friends. The kits include basic cleaning items, dishes, pots and pans, towels, washcloths, cooking items, and a lap quilt made by the West Citrus Elks Sewing for Veterans group. 

Pictured in the back are James Swanson, accepting on behalf of St. Vincent De Paul, and members Rick Jeroski, Jill Jeroski and Darlene Hall. In the front are members Eve Emmerling, Sandy Koval, Susan Adams and Pat Leham.

Details

Written by Stuart-Jensen Elks

On July 8, Stuart-Jensen Elks Lodge #1870 hosted lunch for six veterans who traveled from the VA hospital long-term care unit in West Palm Beach. They enjoyed a lunch prepared by Veterans committee member Linda Elliott. Afterward, they enjoyed five games of cash bingo. One of the veterans was a woman over 100 years old, who joined the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II and later transferred to the U.S. Marine Corps.

Pictured are Don Nilsson, Veterans Chair; Steven Elliott; Linda Elliott; and Kathy Russell, all who assisted with the event.

Details

Written by Lakeland Elks

At Lakeland Elks Lodge’s July 4 celebration, members held a fundraiser for unhoused veterans being rehomed to a permanent house of their own. The event raised $1,700 from the sale of tickets for various family games, raffled items, 50/50 raffle tickets and the cost of the meal. Members also donated pantry staples.

Pictured are Steve Masterton, PER, who prepared the dinner, and Char Fisher, Veterans Chair, who chaired the event. Also pictured are donated items.