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Our Military & Veterans
Perry Elks Donate Grant for Veterans Food Bank
- Details
- Written by Perry Elks
Perry Elks Lodge #1851 donated its $1,000 Elks National Foundation Freedom Spark Grant to the local chapter of the VFW #9225 to help them with a food bank for veterans in need.
Pictured are Eric Hodge, Exalted Ruler, with Michael Thrift, VFW 9225 Post Commander and Perry Elks Lodge member.
Viera Elks Lodge Use Grant to Aid Transitioning Veterans and Volunteers of America
- Details
- Written by Becky Wills
Viera Elks Lodge #2817 continued its support of local veterans this quarter by using $300 from the lodge’s Focus Grant to provide furniture to two veterans in April who were transitioning to permanent housing. The program is VOA/SSVF (Volunteers of America/Supportive Services for Veterans Families) Transitional Housing Program. In addition, $900, also from the Focus Grant, was donated to the VOA to aid in the building of a gazebo at the Volunteers of America facility in Cocoa, Florida.
Pompano Beach Elks Pack Supplies for Women Veterans at Miami VA
- Details
- Written by Pompano Beach Elks
On March 15, using the Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant, Pompano Beach Elks Lodge #1898 volunteer members delivered 16 laundry baskets filled with household items to the Miami VA Healthcare System. Included in the baskets were pots and pans, towels, cleaning supplies, and gift cards. The baskets will be used by women veterans in HUD/VASH.
Pictured are members Charlotte Burrie, Maureen McMahon-Roberts, Frank Sellers Jr., Joan Gall and Beverly Keating.
West Palm Beach Elks Lodge Sponsors Veterans at Songwriters for Vets Event
- Details
- Written by West Palm Beach Elks
On June 4, West Palm Beach Elks Lodge #1352 sent four members who are veterans to the Songwriters for Vets event held in Jupiter, Florida. The lodge purchased a four-person VIP table for them. Songwriters for Vets is a nonprofit organization with a mission to bring awareness to and fundraise for military veterans and supporting organizations through events, songwriters, music, sponsors’ food and good times. Pictured are attendees Edmond Troy, Joe Llorens, Dr. Roxanne Olson and Robert Josefsberg.
Brooksville Elks Fill Bags for Veterans Experiencing Homelessness
- Details
- Written by Sherry Mackeil
On April 13, Brooksville Elks Lodge #2582 put together 100 bags for veterans in Brooksville, Florida, who are homeless. Lodge members got together to shop, organize and fill the bags. They purchased hygiene items along with towels, T-shirts and socks. Money for these items came from member donations raised at the lodge. Camping World of New Port Richey donated the bags for this project, and the Hernando County Veterans Service distributed the bags to the veterans.
Pictured with the bags are Diane Hein, Tiler; Nora Hughson, trustee; Jane Hussey, Inner Guard; Sherry Mackeil, Treasurer; Peter Berna, House Committee member; Carr Hussey, Exalted Ruler; Bill Rundgren, Esquire; Mike Hughson, trustee; and Richard Griffith, trustee. Not pictured is Cindy Griffith, House Committee Chair.
Naples Elks Lodge Delivers Goods and Funds Cape Coral VA
- Details
- Written by Naples Elks
On June 4, Naples Elks Lodge #2010 donated a van-full of nonperishable food items as well as household items such as paper towels, dish soaps and laundry items, valued at $2,500, to the Cape Coral Veterans Administration food drive. In addition, a check for $1,100 ($500 from the lodge and $600 from members) was donated to help supply veterans' needs.
Tampa Elks Place Wreath at Veterans' Cemetery for Memorial Day
- Details
- Written by Rita Smith
Every Memorial Day there is a service at American Legion Post 5 in Tampa, Florida, the home of the only privately owned veterans’ cemetery. There are speeches from military officers, politicians, and distinguished veterans, and there is a three-gun salute. Local service groups are invited to participate by posting a memorial wreath. Frank Palladini, Past State President, first participated when he was Tampa Lodge’s Exalted Ruler in 1995. He has since participated every year, alongside each current Exalted Ruler. This year, Rita Smith had the honor of participating.
Pictured are a scout from Troop 25, Rita Smith and Frank Palladini, PSP.
Veterans Honored at Dunedin/Clearwater Elks Lodge Memorial Day Picnic
- Details
- Written by Rose Goodrich
On May 30, Dunedin/Clearwater Elks Lodge #1525 held its annual Memorial Day picnic. It was attended by lodge veterans as well as several veterans from Largo Elks Lodge and several veteran guests, including some from World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Gulf War. The veterans were honored with song and applause by all in attendance and were served a free holiday dinner. At 3 p.m., the lodge joined the national playing of taps across the United States, followed by the attendees singing “America the Beautiful,” led by Ray Curtiss. Pictured is a World War II veteran and a Korean War veteran holding a flag during the celebration.
Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge Continues to Support Southeastern Guide Dogs
- Details
- Written by JoAnn Reddy
On May 11, Sean Brown, Southeastern Guide Dogs associate director of philanthropy, left, along with his service dog, Nick, accepted a $7,042 donation from Tom Sweeney, Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Lodge Veterans Services Chair. Southeastern Guide Dogs provides training for service dogs and matches them with veterans in need of companionship. The lodge donation was doubled by the Southeastern Heroes Council, a group of donors who sometimes match donations.
West Citrus Elks Lodge Presents Grant to Bridge 4 Veterans
- Details
- Written by Brian Estus, PER
On May 13, several members of West Citrus Elks Lodge #2693 gathered in Inverness, Florida, at the Bridge 4 Veterans house to present $4,000 from the lodge’s Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to aid in the upgrade of the kitchen. Bridge 4 Veterans is a nonprofit organization that assists veterans who are homeless find housing.
Pictured in the front row are Tom O’Brien, secretary of Bridges 4 Veterans; Greg Pelletier, president of Bridges 4 Veterans; Doug Norman, Exalted Ruler; and Richard Floyd, treasurer of Bridges 4 Veterans. In the back row are Kris Estus, PER, District Grant Coordinator; Jim Ducey, Veterans Services Committee member; Donna Hayes, Veterans Services Committee Lodge Chair; Joann Hepner, Veterans Services Committee member; and Frank Hayes, Veterans Services Committee member and liaison to Bridge 4 Veterans.
Veterans' Organization Accepts $7,000 Donation from Fort Myers Elks Lodge
- Details
- Written by Diane Hendrick
Fort Myers Elks Lodge #1288 honored local veterans May 21. A brief ceremony began with playing anthems of the five branches of the U.S. military followed by a color guard presenting the colors. After the ceremony, veterans and guests enjoyed a delicious dinner. Following the meal, David Lake, PSP, Esquire, presented a check for $7,000 for Hearts and Homes for Veterans Inc. The donation was made possible by a $4,000 Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant, a $2,500 Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant, and $500 from the lodge charity account.
Pictured are Frank Mascari, PER; Phil Gersbach, PDD, Vice President at Large; David Santini, vice president of Hearts and Homes for Veterans Inc.; Richard Conley, PDD; David Lake, PSP, Esquire; and Rich Joslin.
Zephyrhills Elks Lodge Receives Storage Unit to Store Veterans' Furnishings
- Details
- Written by Susan Slater
Zephyrhills Elks Lodge #2731 has been donating furniture and household items to veterans upon discharge from the VA. When they are discharged, they have an apartment but no furnishings. Ken Fabiani, Lodge Veterans Services Chair, has been actively picking up donations from the local communities to help provide the veterans with the basic needs for their home. In mid-May, a local business offered to donated a 10-by-20 storage unit to the Veterans Services Committee for these furnishings. Hilda Hynes, manager of Value Store It, has a very personal investment in this donation since she says with great emotion and pride that she is the mother of a son in the United States Air Force at Andrews Air Force Base. With the housing crisis and homelessness, she immediately got on board with Fabiani's efforts to provide the veterans with their needs. Value Store It is very dedicated with their involvement in their communities and donates to organizations that will empower their local culture.
Pictured are Ken Fabiani, PER, and Hilda Hynes.