Our Military & Veterans
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- Written by: Diane Hendrick
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On May 7, Fort Myers Elks Lodge #1288 donated $1,000 from the Elks National Foundation Freedom Grant to Hearts and Homes for Veterans, a southwest Florida nonprofit dedicated to ending veteran homelessness and helping those who served regain stability through housing, employment and essential support services.
Pictured are Roger Spencer, PER, Exalted Ruler; Dale Spain, CEO of Hearts & Homes; Irma Spencer, Loyal Knight; and David Lake, PSP.
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- Written by: Jacksonville Elks
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Jacksonville Elks delivered their 48th Welcome Home Kit April 20 to USMC veteran Santay. He relocated to a studio apartment, so members were mindful of selecting appropriately sized furniture and new bedding to optimize the available space. He was very happy with what they delivered and was looking forward to fixing dinner in his own place that evening. Some of the items included a toaster, coffee maker, Crock-Pot, new bed and frame, pillows, new set of dishes, pots and pan, towels, household items, groceries, table and two stools, lamp, and a handmade patriotic quilt. Member David Graham helped load his furniture and deliver his kit.
Pictured are Karen Tracy, Lodge Veterans Chair; Melanie Reid, lead case manager with Five STAR Veterans Center; and Santay. Also pictured are some of the kit items.
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- Written by: Ken Fabiani, PER
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On April 15, Zephyrhills Elks Lodge #2731donated 12 cases of pretzels to veterans at James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital. As outpatients were arriving to and leaving their appointments, Ken Fabiani, PER, Veterans Chair, shared the snacks with them.
Pictured are Fabiani, right, with James and Helen Stilwell. She is his wife, caregiver and part of the hospital staff.
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- Written by: Palmetto Elks
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On March 22, the Southwest District held the annual Army of Hope luncheon fundraiser at Palmetto Elks Lodge #2449. The event raised more than $5,900 through luncheon tickets, a 50/50 raffle, and a chance auction for gift baskets, donated by each lodge in the district. The event was open to the public. The Florida Elks Army of Hope program allows military members to safely concentrate on their duties without worrying about their families at home. Guest speakers were Edward Valdez, retired Marine, and Molly Boardman, retired from the Army.
Pictured are Steve Boardman, Molly Boardman and Edward Valdez.
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- Written by: Pensacola Beach Elks
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On March 3, the Pensacola Beach Elks Lodge’s Forgotten Warrior Committee, chaired by veteran Carey Seigle, donated $1,000 from the Elks National Veterans Service Commission Freedom Grant to provide coffee and doughnuts along with companionship to veterans living in six local assisted living facilities.
On March 10, Pensacola Beach Elks Lodge #497 donated the $4,000 Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to AHERO (American Heroes Enjoying Recreation Outdoors), a local 501(c)3 organization. Its mission is to reduce veteran suicide by providing outdoor activities for veterans and first responders by helping them recover from physical wounds and psychological trauma. A-Hero provides all lodging, meals and transportation costs for the activities and access to therapists, drug and alcohol counseling, pain management, and VA.
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- Written by: Telly Sands
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On March 5, the Hollywood West Elks Lodge Veterans Committee donated $500 to Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs Inc. The donation was made in memory of departed Lodge Veterans Chairs Sal Grilli and George Caffrey. Also on March 5, the lodge and the Veterans Committee each donated $100 to support the third annual Anchor Bar Vietnam Veterans of America golf tournament fundraiser, which will benefit the VVA Chapter 23 in Fort Lauderdale.
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- Written by: Debbie Brozyna
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On Feb. 26, Ormond Beach Elks facilitated the donation of a much-needed $2,000 specialized mattress for a veteran transitioning to permanent housing from Barracks of Hope. This organization, located in Daytona Beach, provides transitional housing, mental health counseling, case management, group sessions and assistance with locating permanent housing for veterans experiencing homelessness. Peggie Sue McClellan, PER, Lodge Veterans Committee member, approached the Florida Elks’ Army of Hope program for the assistance.
Pictured are veteran Luis Hernandez; Peggie Sue McClellan, PER; Brandy Conaway, Barracks of Hope facility manager; and Norm Beatty, Barracks of Hope case manager.
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- Written by: Deborah Reedy, PER
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On Feb. 7, Jacksonville Elks delivered a Welcome Home Kit to U.S. Army veteran Tiara, a doula and mother of three young children. She was very happy to receive a couch, dresser, other small furniture pieces, household supplies, and books for her children. Members Robin and John Pipkins delivered the larger pieces of furniture.
Pictured are Tiara with Karen Tracy, Lodge Veterans Chair. Also pictured are Karen Tracy, Tiara and Robin Pipkins.
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- Written by: Brian Estus, PDD
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When a previously homeless veteran moves into their home, they usually only have a bed. On March 5, the West Citrus Elks Lodge Veterans Committee used the Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to help make the move a much better experience. The members purchased 27 coffee pots, 10 microwave ovens, 27 Crock-Pots and 57 shower curtains for St. Vincent de Paul CARES to help welcome veterans into their new homes.
Pictured seated in front is Charlie Mattingly. In the first row are Corel Graham of St. Vincent de Paul CARES with members Pat Lehman, Orlan Hayes, Donna Hayes, Susan Adams, Joanne Hepner, Roxie Bartosek and Deb Lawrence. In the second row are Ed Wilson and Matthew Miller of St. Vincent de Paul CARES and members Dolly Hall, Terri Harrison and Ida Maslinski.
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- Written by: Bradenton Elks
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On March 10, Bradenton Elks Lodge #1511 hosted a veterans’ fishing trip using the $4,000 Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant. John Louhier, Leading Knight; Rod Rodeman, Loyal Knight; and 16 veterans boarded five boats, and each boat reached its limit of sea trout and also caught redfish, mackerel and snook.
Pictured are Captain Colby Gregory, veterans John Wayne Greenwell and Steve Norman, and Rod Rodeman.
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- Written by: Brandon Elks
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In support of February being National Salute to Veteran Patients Month, the members and spouses of Brandon Elks Lodge #2383 and Brandon Ladies of Elks made homemade crafts for the veterans at James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital at the request of Robin Rutzke, Lodge Veterans Chair and Leading Knight. Lara McCleary, Jerrilyn Pietro, Jackie Florentino and Terri Ciesla, Ladies President, made items such as themed door hangers, eyeglass cases made from potholders, and women’s jewelry.
Pictured Feb. 26 is Rutzke delivering the items to Rashad Thompson with the Center for Development and Civic Engagement at JAHVH. Also pictured are Brandon Ladies of Elks Jackie Florentino and Lara McCleary displaying some of the donated items.
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- Written by: Taz WrightReynolds, PER
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On Feb. 4, the Pensacola Beach Elks Lodge Veterans Committee celebrated the United Service Organization’s 85th anniversary by donating 17 large bags of candy. The individually wrapped candy will be available for troops using USO facilities. It was distributed to the four USO locations throughout the Pensacola area, including the Pensacola Airport and base locations. The USO was founded in 1941 to support U.S. military morale with entertainment, care packages and, more recently, transition services.
Pictured are Iris Santiago, USO area operations manager; Carey Seigle, lodge member; and Mary Ellen Schaffer, USO center ops specialist.