On March 3, the Pensacola Beach Elks Lodge’s Forgotten Warrior Committee, chaired by veteran Carey Seigle, donated $1,000 from the Elks National Veterans Service Commission Freedom Grant to provide coffee and doughnuts along with companionship to veterans living in six local assisted living facilities.
On March 10, Pensacola Beach Elks Lodge #497 donated the $4,000 Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to AHERO (American Heroes Enjoying Recreation Outdoors), a local 501(c)3 organization. Its mission is to reduce veteran suicide by providing outdoor activities for veterans and first responders by helping them recover from physical wounds and psychological trauma. A-Hero provides all lodging, meals and transportation costs for the activities and access to therapists, drug and alcohol counseling, pain management, and VA.