The Treasure Coast Homeless Veterans Stand Down was held May 17 at Veterans Memorial Park in Fort Pierce, Fla. Fort Pierce Elks Lodge #1520 had a booth and used an Elks National Foundation Freedom Grant to purchase tents, supplies, personal-care items and food. Every homeless veteran received one of everything available in the 30 booths including free meals, legal services, health screenings, employment services, and help with accessing VA benefits and services. Transportation was provided and the place was packed. Everything was given away to the homeless veterans. It was a very rewarding event for the lodge and the volunteers.
During a veterans Stand Down, Lenny Smallacombe, PDD and Trisha Swayngim, PER from Fort Pierce Lodge speak to a representative from social services and a writer from “Veterans Voices,” a magazine about local veterans events in St. Lucie County.
With the funds from the Freedom Grant left over after the Stand Down event, Fort Pierce Elks donated tents, flashlights, bug spray and personal items for homeless veterans living in the woods.