Our Military & Veterans

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Written by: South Hillsborough Elks

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On Nov. 8, South Hillsborough Elks Lodge #2672 donated its $1,000 Elks National Veterans Service Commission Freedom Grant to Wounded Warriors in Action in Apollo Beach. The organization helps the nation’s combat-wounded Purple Heart recipients by offering outdoor sporting activities to encourage independence and connections with communities and to promote healing and wellness through camaraderie and a shared passion for the outdoors.

Pictured are John McDaniel of WWIA and Mary Ellen Maurer, Lodge Grants Coordinator.

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Written by: Deborah Reedy, PER

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Jacksonville Elks Lodge #221 delivered its 16th Welcome Home Kit Oct. 11 to U.S. Navy veteran Kenneth. He was most appreciative to receive the basic food and household items, along with furniture pieces. Members David Graham, PER and Rick and Tamy Branch delivered the larger pieces of furniture. Kenneth transitioned from Five Star Veterans Center. Items included a new queen bed, pillows, bedding, blankets, dishes, pots and pans, kitchenware, towels, toiletries, shower liner and rings, paper goods, light bulbs, trash can and bags, cleaning supplies, laundry basket and detergent, coffee maker, and toaster. In addition to the $490.15 spent on kit items, the lodge donated $25 to be used for a food donation for this veteran.

Pictured are Kenneth and kit items as well as David Graham, PER and Rick Branch.

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Written by: Ken Fabiani, PER

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On Sept. 24, the Zephyrhills Elks Lodge Veterans Committee donated 15 lap blankets to Rose Castle Nursing Home in Zephyrhills. Lodge members and volunteers make the blankets with donated yarn. With each blanket they add a note thanking the veterans for their service and finish the note saying that they were made by the Happy Hookers from Scotland Yard.

Pictured are volunteer Dave Greene and Rose Castle director Keith Brown. 

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Written by: Live Oak Elks

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On Aug. 10, Live Oak Elks Lodge #1165 donated two $500 gift cards to the Robert H. Jenkins Jr. State Veterans’ Domiciliary Home in Lake City. The funds were from the Elks National Foundation Freedom Grant and were presented to Karen Kraszewski, activity therapy aide. One of the gift cards is for bimonthly trips for the veterans to a local cinema and the other is for a return trip to the Tallahassee Auto Museum. The veterans enjoyed the trip so much last year that they asked for sponsorship again this year. The lodge also participates in the Adopt-a-Vet program and sends a monthly check to help cover expenses of a veteran who has been assigned as their adoptee.

Pictured are William Koenigh and Gary Moore, veterans of the domiciliary; Terry Strayer, Secretary; Andy Hillhouse, PER; Janet DaSilva, PDD, VA volunteer of Lake City Elks Lodge #893; Donald Watson, PDD; and Lori Watson, Grant Coordinator.

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Written by: Green Cove Springs Elks

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On Aug. 12, Green Cove Springs Lodge donated $1,318 from its Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to K9s for Warriors, an organization that trains and provides service dogs to veterans with PTSD, traumatic brain injury and other challenging conditions. The lodge's Past Exalted Rulers charity bingo also donated $1,000 to support their work.

Pictured are Jennifer Parker, Exalted Ruler; Ed Weston, PER Chair; Rick Kunze, PER, Veterans Chair; Penny Kunze, member; Carol Thorsen Hood, K9s for Warriors puppy raiser, with Ellie; and Stephanie Vogt, K9s community relations manager.

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Written by: Green Cove Springs Elks

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The Florida Health Care Association's Group presented the Volunteer of the Year Award for the state of Florida to Green Cove Springs Lodge members Penny and Rick Kunze during one of their monthly visits to Clyde E. Lassen State Veterans’ Nursing Home. The Kunzes accepted the award for their 14 years of monthly volunteerism at the nursing home on behalf of the Lodge, including hosting monthly bingo games, visiting residents with their service dogs in training, attending events, and coordinating fishing trips and outings for the veterans. On Aug. 23, the Kunzes presented the award to the lodge since it is a group volunteer award naming the lodge.

Pictured are Jennifer Parker, Exalted Ruler; Penny Kunze, and Rick Kunze, PER.