Jacksonville Elks Lodge #221 held a veterans resource fair Oct. 18 using its Elks National Veterans Service Commission Freedom Grant. Eight organizations — Florida Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Vietnam Veterans Chapter 1046, Five Star Veterans Center, Disabled America Veterans, UF Health, City of Jacksonville Military Affairs and Veterans Department, VFW Chapter 1689, and Jacksonville National Cemetery — were present with information and resources available to veterans. Speakers gave overviews of what they can offer to veterans. After lunch, attendees could visit with the agency representatives. More than 30 veterans attended and received information on VA benefits, UF Health’s brain health program, and services offered by the COJ Military Affairs and Veterans Department. Everyone received a goody bag with personal and hygiene items. Leftover bags were sent to Five Star Veterans Center to distribute to the veterans in residence there. The lodge held a 50/50 with half going to an attendee and half going to an organization.
Amanda Mills with Five Star Veterans Center, pictured, won the attendee half and the Rotary Club’s Pat Mulvihill, pictured with Lodge Veterans Chair, Karen Tracy, received the other half for an organization.
