On May 10, the Largo Elks Lodge’s Veterans Committee members presented their 75th Welcome Home Kit to a veteran through the Bay Pines VA HUD-VASH (Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Administration Supportive Housing) office in St. Petersburg, Florida. A Welcome Home Kit provides some basic essentials, including but not limited to dishes, linens, small kitchen appliances and personal hygiene items for a veteran moving into a new residence and needing starter items. This presentation was a milestone; therefore, 10 Largo Elks members attended to meet the veteran who was receiving this kit and to load his car.
Pictured are Francesca Rivera; Peter Lopez, World War II veteran; Sonja Lopez, endorsed District Vice President; Barb Hennessey; Gloria Todd, Exalted Ruler; Georgia Greene; Sandy Behm; Ed Cabana; Kenneth, veteran receiving the kit; Caroline Wilson, HUD-VASH social worker; Edgar Solivan, voluntary services specialist at the VA; Jeanne Reinhart, PDD, event organizer; Johnny Miller, Elks VAVS representative to Bay Pines; and Robert Behm, retired LTC and Lodge Veterans Committee Chair.
Also pictured are Jeanne Reinhart, PDD; Gloria Todd; and Bob Behm presenting a $1,000 check to Edgar Solivan (second from left) for the upcoming Stand Down at the VA.