On Feb. 16, Lakeland Elks Lodge #1291 donated just over $700 of drinks and accessories to the Lakeland Veteran Center, including 15 cases of soda, 10 cases of Gatorade, eight cases of water, one case of Splenda, one case of sugar, six boxes of liquid creamer cups and 10 boxes of 100-count K-Cup coffee pods. The drinks are a necessary comfort item for the veterans to use during their meetings and therapy sessions and alleviate the need for the veteran to provide their own as the center does not have a budget for these items. Pictured from Lakeland Veteran Center are Yolanda Crosby, Greg Phipps and Sherri’ Pritchett, Veterans Outreach Specialist. This gift was purchased with funds raised from the lodge’s Veterans Day dinner and silent auction fundraiser that raised more than $11,000 for veterans.