On April 13, Perry Elks Lodge #1851 divided its $4,000 Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant among three entities. Members visited veterans residing at Aspire at Big Bend Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. Using $1,275 of the grant funds, they purchased personalized clothing with each veteran’s branch of service. Each vet also received a handmade lap blanket made by member Ann-Marie Preman. Eric Hodge, PER and Felisa Calhoun, Exalted Ruler, are pictured giving a local veteran at Aspire an Army T-shirt. Also pictured are Eric Hodge, PER; Felisa Calhoun; and Ann-Marie Preman giving a blanket to a veteran at Aspire.
The lodge donated $2,500 from the Beacon Grant to the local Senior Citizens Center, which supports and serves many veterans daily. Pictured at the check presentation with residents are Jim Daly, member; Gordon Brown, Lecturing Knight; Earline Neeley, Lodge Secretary; Rachel Russell, senior center director; Sylvia Ellanson, trustee; Eric Hodge, PER; Pat Ferguson, member; David Harden, Esquire; Jeanne Harden, Leading Knight; Vera Howell, Tiler; and Wayne Padgett, Taylor County Sheriff and member.
The remaining $225 was shared with the local American Legion/Veterans Service to help repair their accessible ramp, which was damaged by a hurricane. Felisa Calhoun, Exalted Ruler, right, is pictured giving the check to Jim Day, Post Commander of Taylor County Memorial American Legion #96.