On March 4th, Sarasota South Elks Lodge #2495 hosted Gratitude America, a Florida-based nonprofit organization founded in 2011. As explained on their website at gratitudeamerica.org, “GratitudeAmerica’s mission is to provide critical support for service members, veterans and their families by conducting meaningful restorative programs to assist veterans affected by deployment exposures such as traumatic brain injury and combat-related stress. GratitudeAmerica Military Support Retreats are a breakthrough, no cost, 4-day immersive and intensive experience designed to help combat Veterans and their supporters make peace with their past so they can begin planning for their new mission at home.”
Using its $2,000 Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to fund a portion of this four-day retreat, the lodge hosted 24 veterans and their spouses and support persons as well as GratitudeAmerica staff at the lodge for a meal prepared and served by lodge members.
Pictured are Michael Anthony, MAJ, USAR, CEO of GratitudeAmerica, and Richard Bouchard, Exalted Ruler.