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Umatilla, FL 32784-0049
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Our Military & Veterans
St. Augustine Elks Provide Additional Welcome Home Kits to Veterans
- Details
- Written by Cathy Walsh
On March 25, St. Augustine Elks donated two Welcome Home Kits to Veterans Village, bringing their total kits donated to local veterans this year to 16. Pictured are Cathy Walsh, lodge charity chair, and Mary Cooke, Home Again St. Johns Veteran Village coordinator.
Additionally, the lodge partnered with the residents to collect 4,429 pop tabs to donate to Ronald MacDonald House in Jacksonville. Ronald McDonald House recycles them for cash to help provide housing for families in the Jacksonville area while their children undergo treatment at local hospitals.
Palm Coast Elks Lodge Raffle Raises Funds for Veterans' Programs
- Details
- Written by David Valinski
The Palm Coast Elks Lodge #2709 Veterans Committee conducted a gun raffle fundraiser drawing Feb. 9. The fundraiser made a profit of over $4,000 for local programs supporting veterans who are disabled or have PTSD or are experiencing homelessness. The lodge’s veterans information program was also a recipient of funds. Tickets were also sold at local businesses.
Pictured are Exalted Ruler Pete Lehnertz and Veterans Committee members Sean Reardon, David Valinski and Jerry DiMenna (with microphone) as they draw the winning ticket.
Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge Supports Veterans with Guide Dogs with Help from Tommy John
- Details
- Written by JoAnn Reddy
On March 22, Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge #2855 held a fundraiser for a program for veterans with guide dogs, sponsored by Dogs Inc. Special guest Tommy John, former professional baseball pitcher, donated signed baseballs, caps and other baseball items for the auction. Over $2,500 was raised.
Pictured are Tommy John and Tom Sweeney, Lodge Veterans Chair.
Bradenton Elks Sponsor Veterans' Fishing Trip
- Details
- Written by brad
On March 23, Bradenton Elks Lodge #1511 provided a 4-hour offshore fishing trip for 17 veterans, pictured, using $2,500 from its Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant. The company they use is Florida Fishing Fleet, which has max occupancy of 17 plus two crew members. After the trip, they went to Slicker’s Eatery, where Bob Slicker and staff cooked their fresh catches and served them lunch.
Jupiter Elks Host Fishing Trip for Local Veterans
- Details
- Written by Lauren Dowd-Shedlock, PER
On March 8, Jupiter Elks Lodge #2469 treated local veterans to a deep-sea fishing trip, made possible by the Elks National Veterans Service Commission Freedom Grant. The outing aimed to provide relaxation and camaraderie for those who have served. Veterans set sail from Jupiter Inlet aboard Country Club Drift Fishing, enjoying a morning of reeling in fish and sharing stories. Afterward, The Square Grouper provided a complimentary lunch. Exalted Ruler, Ben Herd, and members organized and supported the event, including transportation for those in need.
Pictured are veterans with Ben Herd, Exalted Ruler, third from right.
Elks in the Southeast Hold Poker Run for Army of Hope
- Details
- Written by Lauren Dowd-Shedlock, PER
The Southeast District lodges of West Palm Beach, Clewiston and Jupiter held an Army of Hope poker run with the Elks Riders Feb. 22, raising $20,000 before expenses. The event featured five stops, a live auction and numerous raffles.
Pictured are motorcycles parked outside West Palm Beach Lodge.
Elks in the Southwest District Take Part in Army of Hope Fundraiser
- Details
- Written by JoAnn Reddy
On March 9, Southwest District lodges held a dinner, raffle and 50/50 at Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge #2855 to raise funds for the Army of Hope. The featured speaker was Commander Donna Fournier, USN, who emphasized the many sacrifices women made in all the military branches. A Quilt of Honor was presented to her to thank her for her service. A total of $3,157 was raised.
Pictured are Tom Sweeney, Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Lodge Veterans Chair; Commander Donna Fournier; and Spike Jones of Sarasota South Lodge. Sweeney and Jones were the co-chairs who organized the event.
Army of Hope Fundraiser Held at Sanford Elks Lodge
- Details
- Written by Cristin Rumler
On March 1, Sanford Lodge hosted a Spaghetti for Soldiers dinner and dessert auction, with all proceeds benefiting the Army of Hope. The lodge raised $1,708.
Donald Soderblom, Veterans Chair, surveys the dessert table.
Sanford Elks Visit Veterans at Lake Nona VA
- Details
- Written by Cristin Rumler
On March 18, Sanford Elks and spouses visited the hospital at Lake Nona VA to visit with over 100 veteran patients who were either there for the day for treatments or who had been admitted. They passed out cards that reminded them of the Elks motto that they will never forget veterans.
Pictured are Annie McKibbin, Elks spouse, with VA volunteer and Kissimmee Elks member, Robert Hatchell, and a nursing home resident.
Sanford Elks Plaque Installed at Daytona Beach VA
- Details
- Written by Cristin Rumler
On Feb. 19, a plaque designed by the Sanford Lodge Veterans Committee and funded by member donations was installed at the Daytona Beach VA. It includes the lodge name and national logo and says, “So long as there are veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them.”
Pictured are Donald Soderblom, Lodge Veterans Chair, shaking hands with Tony Viana, HUD-VASH supervisor.
Sanford Elks Bring Total of Welcome Home Kits for Veterans to 39
- Details
- Written by Cristin Rumler
On Jan. 10, Donald Soderblom, Sanford Elks Lodge Veterans Chair, delivered four Elks National Veterans Service Commission Welcome Home Kits to the Daytona Beach VA HUD-VASH to provide essential items to four veterans transitioning from the program to permanent housing. Since April 2024, the lodge has provided 39 kits.
Pictured are Tony Viana, HUD-VASH supervisor; Elan, VA employee; and Donald Soderblom, Lodge Veterans Chair.
Viera Elks Make Several Donations to Local Veterans
- Details
- Written by Becky Wills
Viera Elks Lodge #2817 used its Elks National Veterans Service Commission Focus Grant to make several donations for veterans this quarter. On March 3, the lodge donated $2,500 to New Life Mission, whose goal is to permanently break the generational cycle of homelessness by providing safe shelter, on-site child care, in-house mental health counseling, access to health care, transportation, education, nutrition, job training, and life skills education to women and their children experiencing homelessness.
On March 11, they donated $600 to a veteran for car repairs, and on March 19 they donated $280 for an emergency overnight hotel room. The lodge partners with the Brevard County Veterans Coalition, a volunteer entity comprised of veterans educating other veterans about VA claims, housing assistance, medical appointments and more. They coordinate efforts and serve as the conduit for communication among local veterans. The coalition screens the veterans and advises the lodge of those who are in the most critical need of assistance.
On March 22, the lodge donated $836 to The ARC of the Space Coast, an organization designed to be a transitional solution. Their veteran’s program helps unhoused veterans with disabilities adapt to stable housing over the course of 18 to 24 months. They help them transition into the community in a safe, supported way. The donation will be used to purchase food and hygiene supplies for the veterans who live in the new facility.