St. Petersburg Elks Lodge #1224 used their $2,000 Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant to purchase 500 backpacks plus 25 cases of body lotions for veterans who are homeless. The backpacks were originally intended for the Stand Down, but because of the new coronavirus and stay-at-home order, all special events at the VA hospital have been cancelled. So, instead, they are disbursing the backpacks out of the Elks office at Bay Pines VAMC which remains open with a limited number of volunteers to help veterans needing assistance with hygiene products and other personal items. One of these volunteers is member Johnny Miller, Grand Lodge VA representative, who serves two days a week at the VAMC. Pictured April 7 are Nathan Witt, Bay Pines VAMC Chief of Volunteer Services, and Miller.