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Umatilla, FL 32784-0049
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Our Military & Veterans
Sanford Elks Donate Welcome Home Kit and Newborn Items to Veteran Expecting Twins
- Details
- Written by Cristin Rumler
Sanford Lodge provided its 17th ENVSC Welcome Home Kit to a female veteran who recently transitioned from homelessness into a home of her own. The kit provided her with many items needed in a new home. In addition, the lodge learned she would give birth to twins very soon and did not yet have a stroller or car seats. The lodge used $430 from its 2023 Swing 4 Veterans golf tournament to provide a travel double stroller and double car seats. The lodge also included a Florida Elks Children’s Therapy Services “Advance My Baby” book. Donald Soderblom, Lodge Veterans Chair, delivered the kit to the Lake Baldwin VA facility Sept. 16.
Pictured with the donations are Stephanie Mohl and John Blasi, VA social workers.
St. Augustine Elks Celebrate Veterans' Birthdays at Clyde E. Lassen Veterans’ Nursing Home
- Details
- Written by Cathy Walsh
On Aug. 7, Saint Augustine Elks Lodge #829 made its monthly visit to Clyde E. Lassen Veterans’ Nursing Home. On the first Wednesday of each month for approximately three years, a group of members have thrown a birthday party with cake, balloons and smiles for the residents. The veterans especially enjoy the conversations that take place.
Pictured are group leader, Randy Cook, PER, Leading Knight, and group members Dianne Cook, Elk and FLOE Treasurer; Vince Leth; and Michael Stallings, trustee. Also pictured is Randy Cook presenting the monthly birthday cake to retired Army Chaplain William J. Daniels.
Inverness Elks Mark 242nd Anniversary of Purple Heart
- Details
- Written by Debbie Ross
On Aug. 10, Inverness Elks Lodge #2522 sponsored a breakfast commemorating the 242nd anniversary of the Purple Heart and honoring America's fallen and wounded veterans. More than 80 veterans and guests, including local Purple Heart recipients and Gold Star family members, attended the event. Also in attendance were Congressman Gus Bilirakis, State Representative Ralph Massullo and Citrus County Commissioner Holly Davis. This event was the result of a dedicated and coordinated effort between lodge volunteers and scouts from lodge-sponsored Boy Scout Troop 302.
Pictured are event attendees.
Inverness Bingo Committee Makes Donation to Citrus County Veterans Coalition
- Details
- Written by Debbie Ross
On Aug. 19, Inverness Elks Lodge #2522 donated $1,010 to the Citrus County Veterans Coalition — $1,000 from the bingo committee and $10 from a bingo attendee.
Pictured are Jim Bell, member; Richard Floyd, Director of the Veterans Coalition; John Colasanti, member; Michael Orndorff, PER, Veterans Chair; John Miller, member; Richard Barmes, Treasurer; Debbie Ross and Jack Trafalski, members; Ed Torres, Exalted Ruler; and Jim Ross, member.
State Veterans' Nursing Home Residents Receive Christmas-in-July Gifts from Bonita Springs-Estero Elks
- Details
- Written by Shirley Thompson
On July 27, Bonita Springs Estero Elks Lodge #2753 hosted a Christmas-in-July dinner dance, with 80 in attendance. Many attendees brought gifts for veterans at the Douglas T. Jacobson State Veterans’ Nursing Home — nine T-shirts, five tote bags, 10 electric shavers, 34 readers, 25 packs of razors, 18 packs of shaving cream, 63 deodorants, 65 toothpastes, 75 toothbrushes, 25 sets of toothpaste and brushes, 14 packs of dental floss, 36 combs, 127 pairs of socks, 27 crossword and word search books, 12 bags of sugar-free candy, six eight-packs of gum and 200 pencils.
Pictured Sept. 4 delivering the items, along with a $500 check, are Pete Thompson, Rufus Morse-Ellington and Phil Boucher. Receiving the check are two veterans and Jessa Atwell.
Holley-Navarre Elks Lodge Delivers 10 Welcome Home Kits to Veterans
- Details
- Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER
On July 2, Holley-Navarre Elks Lodge #2787 used its $2,000 Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant to purchase sundries and small appliances for the first of two batches of 10 welcome home kits for local veterans. In addition to the grant, the lodge donated $500 from its charity account to bring the total to $2,500, which will serve 10 veterans, as each kit is worth about $250. Working with local veteran organizations, lodge members distribute the kits to veterans who are placed in housing.
Pictured are Tom Stevens, then-District Deputy and Leading Knight; Kris Kane, PER; Amber Jones, member; Rick Jones, Membership Chair and Veterans Services Chair; and Carol Borden, Gary Irons, and Beth Walker, members.
Sanford Elks Lodge Donates Welcome Home Kits for Veterans
- Details
- Written by Cristin Rumler
Sanford Lodge has partnered with the HUD-VASH at Lake Baldwin VA to assist veterans transitioning to permanent housing. Since April 26, the lodge has donated 13 Elks National Veterans Service Commission Welcome Home Kits to these veterans, which include some household necessities.
Pictured Aug. 12 is a VA social worker receiving a kit.
Sanford Elks Deliver Leather Kits to Alwyn C. Cashe State Veterans' Nursing Home
- Details
- Written by Cristin Rumler
Sanford Elks Lodge’s Veterans Services Chair, Donald Soderblom, visited the Alwyn C. Cashe State Veterans' Nursing Home July 8 and provided various leather kits to residents. The kits were provided by the Elks National Veterans Service Commission’s veterans leather program.
Pictured is veteran and nursing home resident Woody with his leather wallet kit.
Green Cove Springs Elks Donate to Operation Barnabas for Veterans
- Details
- Written by Tracy Carroll, PER
On Aug. 2, Green Cove Springs Elks Lodge #1892 presented $1,000 worth of items to Operation Barnabas, an organization that provides support, mentorship and assistance to veterans. The items, including cleaning supplies, toiletries and food to help stock the agency’s pantry, were purchased with the Elks National Veterans Service Commission Freedom Grant. Additional items were donated by lodge members. Representatives of Operation Barnabas were guests of the lodge for dinner and spoke to the membership about the work they do in the community for local veterans and their families.
Pictured are Jennifer Parker, Exalted Ruler; Dina Sakowski, member; and Cathy Sanders, chaplain, organizing the items. Also pictured are Ed Weston, Northeast District Vice President; James Burse, operations manager; Jennifer Parker, Exalted Ruler; Hal Horton, mentor; and lodge member, Christopher Riendeau, food pantry coordinator.
One Hopeful Place Receives Grant from Fort Walton Elks Lodge
- Details
- Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER
On July 18, Fort Walton Elks Lodge #1795 donated its $1,000 Elks National Veterans Service Commission Freedom Grant to One Hopeful Place, whose mission is to provide programs and services for those seeking self-sufficiency. These include a day program, cold night shelter, health screenings, transportation, and a safe space to park overnight for those who live in their vehicles. The lodge donation will be used to help veterans who use these programs and services.
Pictured are Paul Eubanks, PER, trustee; Sherry Elizabeth Jones, community & public relations director; and Elk Ted Corcoran, president/CEO of Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce. Also pictured is a sign thanking donors, including the Elks.
Ormond Beach Elks Lodge Serves Lunch to Barracks of Hope Residents
- Details
- Written by Ormond Beach Elks
Ormond Beach Elks Lodge #2193 used lodge charity funds to provide a barbecue lunch for Barracks of Hope residents May 27. Barracks of Hope provides transitional housing to male and female veterans who have struggled with homelessness, addiction and mental health. Pictured are Mark and Sue Harter, lodge members; Joe Brozyna, Exalted Ruler; Steve Brozyna, trustee; Robert York of Barracks of Hope; Mike Chandler, PDD, VPAL; Paul Christie of Barracks of Hope; Scott Gutauckis, Veterans Committee Chair; and Tonia Klokow, lodge member.
Pensacola Beach Elks Host Monthly Forgotten Warrior Event
- Details
- Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER
Pensacola Beach Elks Lodge #497 held a Forgotten Warrior Program event July 18 at The Blake at Pensacola. The lodge uses its $3,000 Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant and lodge donations to put on this monthly event. Lodge member Carey Seigle began this program about 3 years ago. The committee holds monthly coffees and guest speaker gatherings for veterans, and during the holidays, they provide gifts for the veterans and their spouses and widows. Petty Officer John Farill, U.S. Navy Seabee, was the guest speaker. He shared the history of blue and white naval hats that records, noting that the blue flat was authorized in 1852 and was used long after white headgear was introduced as an alternative in 1886. In the 1950s and 1960s, hats were still a part of Navy attire, but they were rarely seen. The Navy officially retired the flat hat April 1, 1963.
Petty Officer John Farill is pictured with his original cap from enlistment, which was later replaced by a white hat.