Our Military & Veterans

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Written by Shirley Thompson

On Jan. 20, Bonita Springs-Estero Elks Lodge #2753 hosted its fourth annual charity car show to benefit the Army of Hope. The lodge provided free coffee and doughnuts, sold T-shirts, and held a chance auction and two 50/50 drawings. The flag-raising ceremony was hosted by the Estero Fire Dept. Guns-N-Hoses and Pipes-N-Drums marching band (pictured). There were 32 lodge members who worked the event. Funds raised included $5,542.50 for the Army of Hope as well as $1,000 for Veterans Services and $2,521 for the lodge.

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Written by Karen Tracy

Jacksonville Lodge assisted its first female veteran with a Welcome Home Kit Jan. 19 to help her in her new home. She had graduated from the Northeast Florida Women Veterans program in 2023 and had moved into an apartment but then experienced a fire in October, which destroyed the building she had been living in. She was not home at the time but she lost everything and once again had to move into the women veterans shelter. For her new home, lodge members delivered the household items she requested, as well as a living room chair with ottoman, recliner, bed, TV stand, nightstands and lamps. She was also the first recipient of patriotic quilts, which were donated by a local group called Comfort n' Quilter. They donate quilts to charitable organizations.

Pictured are Donnie Rowand, House Committee Chair, with John Pipkins, trustee, and Karen Tracy, Veterans Services Chair. Also pictured are the veteran’s bedroom and living room after she organized those rooms.

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Written by Shirley Thompson

On Jan. 30, five members of Bonita Springs-Estero Elks Lodge #2753 went to Douglas T. Jacobson State Veterans’ Nursing Home to entertain the veterans. They held karaoke, told jokes and visited with them. They also brought them blankets, pajamas, socks, personal hygiene items, 200 toothbrushes, 1,000 disposable razors and three cases of crossword books, valued at $1,000, all donated by lodge members.

Pictured are members Debra Boucher, Dennis Walker, Phyllis Steelsmith and Phil Boucher.

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Written by Ronna Mason, PER

Sebring Elks Lodge Veterans Chair, Brenda Walton, was contacted by Highlands County Veterans Association, requesting the help of the Florida Elks Army of Hope for an honorably discharged veteran in need of assistance. Fred Dubowsky has a wife who is disabled and a son who is also disabled and receiving Supplemental Security Income. The family’s 2012 van, which they have had for 10 years and which they had converted to enable his son to travel, became undrivable and needed more than $3,000 of repairs. on Jan. 27, the Army of Hope provided the funds needed for the family to have the van repaired at a local shop.

Pictured are Fred Dubowsky and Brenda Walton in front of his van.

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Written by Johnny Miller

On the evening of Jan. 18, Johnny Miller, VAVS representative, held a bowling event at Seminole Lanes in Seminole with 14 veterans from the C.W. Bill Young VAMC at Bay Pines. They really enjoyed bowling and pizza. Miller used $320 from his ENVSC funds.

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Written by Deborah Reedy, PER

Using the Elks National Foundation Spotlight and Beacon grants, Jacksonville Elks Lodge #221 held its fifth annual military baby shower Jan. 20. There were 81 guests in attendance, including 26 mothers. There were also 17 event volunteers. Blue Star Families of Jacksonville helped find the mothers to attend, most of which were active-duty military members. Rae Montgomery, Florida Elks Children's Therapy Services physical therapist, distributed copies of “Advance My Baby,” a book written by FECTS occupational therapists Jeanne Martin and Paula Tarver, and shared what she does with FECTS. Also attending the event were representatives from the local USO in Jacksonville. They held several raffles and gave out donated knitted baby hats. Lunch and desserts were donated by the volunteers. Guests played baby shower games and received prizes, also donated by our members, which included two diaper cakes. Mothers could choose crocheted baby blankets made and donated by two members and two burp cloths and two baby bibs, which were also made and donated by a member. They also received diapers and wipes, which members donated during the diaper drive. The mothers were so thankful and expressed their gratitude with lots of hugs. The lodge also plans to stay in touch with some of the mothers and hold a crochet class.

Pictured are attendees playing games and Rae Montgomery with FECTS books. Pictured with donated diapers are members Carmel Reed; Frances Fowler; Pam Haley, candidate; Rebecca Rue; Cheryl Kehl, Lecturing Knight; and Mark Thompson.