Our Military & Veterans

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Written by Cristin Rumler

On Feb. 19, a plaque designed by the Sanford Lodge Veterans Committee and funded by member donations was installed at the Daytona Beach VA. It includes the lodge name and national logo and says, “So long as there are veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them.”

Pictured are Donald Soderblom, Lodge Veterans Chair, shaking hands with Tony Viana, HUD-VASH supervisor.

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Written by Cristin Rumler

On Jan. 10, Donald Soderblom, Sanford Elks Lodge Veterans Chair, delivered four Elks National Veterans Service Commission Welcome Home Kits to the Daytona Beach VA HUD-VASH to provide essential items to four veterans transitioning from the program to permanent housing. Since April 2024, the lodge has provided 39 kits.

Pictured are Tony Viana, HUD-VASH supervisor; Elan, VA employee; and Donald Soderblom, Lodge Veterans Chair.

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Written by Becky Wills

Viera Elks Lodge #2817 used its Elks National Veterans Service Commission Focus Grant to make several donations for veterans this quarter. On March 3, the lodge donated $2,500 to New Life Mission, whose goal is to permanently break the generational cycle of homelessness by providing safe shelter, on-site child care, in-house mental health counseling, access to health care, transportation, education, nutrition, job training, and life skills education to women and their children experiencing homelessness.

On March 11, they donated $600 to a veteran for car repairs, and on March 19 they donated $280 for an emergency overnight hotel room. The lodge partners with the Brevard County Veterans Coalition, a volunteer entity comprised of veterans educating other veterans about VA claims, housing assistance, medical appointments and more. They coordinate efforts and serve as the conduit for communication among local veterans. The coalition screens the veterans and advises the lodge of those who are in the most critical need of assistance.

On March 22, the lodge donated $836 to The ARC of the Space Coast, an organization designed to be a transitional solution. Their veteran’s program helps unhoused veterans with disabilities adapt to stable housing over the course of 18 to 24 months. They help them transition into the community in a safe, supported way. The donation will be used to purchase food and hygiene supplies for the veterans who live in the new facility.

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Written by Deborah Reedy, PER

On Feb. 22 at the lodge, Jacksonville Elks Lodge #221 held its third Honor Our Veterans event, using funds from the Elks National Veterans Service Commission Freedom Grant. Eleven organizations participated – including The Vietnam Veterans, City of Jacksonville Military Affairs and Veterans Dept., Operation New Uniform, Jacksonville National Cemetery, DAV, UF Health, and First Coast Honor Flights. The First Coast Hight School NJROTC Honor Guard opened the event with the presentation of colors and the national anthem. There were speakers from all organizations who shared topics such as veteran benefits, support for veterans in crisis, brain health resources, and assistance an agency’s service officer can provide. Close to 40 veterans from all services attended to take advantage of the valuable information available. Following lunch, which was served by House Committee members, veteran attendees had time to visit organization tables to obtain information they desired. Organizations were asked to drop their business cards in a bowl for a 50/50 raffle, collecting $130. Half the winnings went to a veteran holding the winning ticket and the other half went to NE Florida Women Veterans, whose business card was pulled. Goody bags for 50 veterans were assembled, which included personal care items — pocket tissues, portable first aid kit, manicure set and lip balm. Using remaining Freedom Grant funds and funds donated by the lodge, the lodge purchased several hygiene supplies that fulfilled many items on Lake City VA Medical Center’s wish list. They delivered toothpaste, bodywash, shave cream and razors, and lotion. They also filled 24 toiletry bags with travel care items for the Women’s Clinic. The rest of the empty toiletry bags were filled and distributed to the Community Living Center/Hospice Unit within the VA Center.

Pictured is lodge member and veteran Jacqueline Moise visiting one of the tables at the event.

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Written by Ken Fabiani, PER

On Jan. 12, Zephyrhills Elks Lodge #2731 donated $8,000 to James A. Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa — $4,000 from the Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant and $4,000 from the Harry-Anna Trust Fund matching grant. The funds were distributed among four programs.

Pictured are the program representatives and Elks: Judy Osgood, Lodge Elks National Foundation Fundraising Chair; Domiciliary, represented by Roy Leonard, nurse manager; Adaptive Sports, represented by Alyssa Caselnove; Homeless Program, represented by Harry McCurdy and Kristi Whitford; Social Work Services, represented by Cheryl Cox and Brandi Thomas; and Ken Fabiani, PER, Lodge Veterans Chair.

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Written by Telly Sands

On Feb. 20, the Hollywood West Elks Lodge Veterans Committee arranged for Fancy’s Magical Critters Inc. to bring its local traveling petting zoo of cows, goats, pigs, llamas, ponies, chickens, ducks, rabbits and camels to Sandy Nininger State Veteran's Nursing Home, located in Pembroke Pines. Mike Maiocco, Veterans Committee Chair, and committee member Shelley Sarros helped set up the event for the veterans. Everyone had a wonderful time.

Pictured are Mike Maiocco overseeing two llamas with a veteran and veterans viewing a pen filled with multiple animals outside.