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Our Military & Veterans
Zephyrhills Elks Veterans Committee Furnishes 228th Veteran's New Home
- Details
- Written by Ken Fabiani, PER
On Feb. 23, Navy veteran Tonya Dinkins and her sister moved in to their new home in Brandon, Florida, with support from the Zephyrhills Lodge Veterans Committee. She is the 228th veteran to have their home furnished by the Elks.
Pictured are member Don Falaas, veteran Tonya Dinkins and volunteer Howard Lundsford.
Elks Serve Veterans for National Salute to Veteran Patients and Meet Former Harry-Anna Hospital Patient
- Details
- Written by Frank Sellers, PDD
From Feb. 13 to Feb. 16 for the National Salute to Veteran Patients, Frank Sellers, PDD, Elks VAVS representative to West Palm Beach VAMC, used funds from his veterans’ account to purchase juices and water to be served to the veterans. This event was supported by nine members from West Palm Beach Lodge #1352, Delray Beach Lodge #1770 and Pompano Beach Lodge #1898. On Feb. 16, Army veteran David Poole introduced himself and shared his story that more than 60 years ago, he was a patient at the Harry-Anna Hospital. He was born with his legs wrapped around his brother and he was cared for by the hospital staff for more than 10 years. He is now so happy to hear of the Florida Elks Children’s Therapy Services and they are hopeful that he will become a member.
Pictured are Charlotte Burrie, PDD, Pompano Beach #1898; David Poole, retired veteran; Diane Caroll, West Palm Beach #1352; and Cindy Howard, Delray Beach #1770.
Veterans Organization Receives $9,000 from Fort Pierce Elks Lodge
- Details
- Written by Ginny Young
On Feb. 15, Fort Pierce Elks Lodge #1520 donated $4,000 from its Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to Dedicated Devoted Solutions for Veterans (DDS4Vets). Pictured is JJ Johnson, PDD, Lodge Advisor, presenting a check to Walter Evans, director of DDS4Vets. The lodge previously donated $5,000 to this organization Jan. 13 that it raised from a golf tournament held Nov. 5 at the Indian Hills Golf Course in Fort Pierce.
Injured Veteran to Receive New Home in Part from Funds from Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge
- Details
- Written by JoAnn Reddy
On Jan. 20, Chris Blauvelt and his wife visited Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge #2855 to thank the Veterans Committee for their contributions and efforts in raising $5,500 from a dinner and show, which was allocated to the home being built for them by Homes For Our Troops. The organization builds specially adapted custom homes for injured veterans to enable them to rebuild their lives. The lodge was one of many organizations that contributed funds to help build his special home.
Pictured are Chris Blauvelt and his wife (fifth and sixth from right) with members from the Veterans Committee.
Sebring Elks Lodge Contributes to Florida Medal of Honor Memorial and Museum
- Details
- Written by Ronna Mason, PER
On Jan. 31, Sarah Carter, a member of Sebring Elks Lodge #1529, presented a $1,000 check to Colonel Michael Borders (U.S. Army retired), chair of the Florida Medal of Honor Memorial Inc. Funds from the Florida State Elks Association matching grant were used. The mission of the Florida Medal of Honor Memorial & Museum is "to construct and maintain a perpetual memorial and museum that honors the Florida Medal of Honor recipients (of which there are currently 24) and ensures that they are never forgotten." The memorial will be located in downtown Sebring at 442 S. Eucalyptus St. In 1990, the U.S. Congress designated March 25 as National Medal of Honor Day. Therefore, to coincide with this date, on March 25, 2023, there will be a memorial ribbon-cutting, and on March 25, 2024, there will be a museum ribbon-cutting when the museum opens.
Pictured are Sarah Carter, FMOHM secretary; Colonel Michael Borders, FMOHM chair; and Don Laycock, FMOHM project manager.
Zephyrhills Elks Lodge Assists 223rd Veteran Moving in to Permanent Housing
- Details
- Written by Ken Fabiani, PER
Zephyrhills Lodge furnished the 223rd veteran’s home using a Welcome Home Kit when Brian Little moved in to his new home in south Tampa Feb. 6. The Veterans Committee has been working hard for the past three years to make this possible, along with support from members and friends.
Pictured are volunteer Howard Lunsford and Brian Little.
K9s for Warriors Receive Donation from Mandarin-St. Johns Elks Lodge
- Details
- Written by Christie Easton
On Jan. 25, Mandarin-St. Johns Elks Lodge #2866 donated $2,000 from its Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant to K9s for Warriors. This organization is the largest provider of service dogs for disabled American veterans. Representatives from K9s for Warriors brought a service dog in training to the lodge for a presentation to increase awareness and funding.
Pictured are Stephanie Yogt, K9 for Warriors community relations manager; Gail, K9 for Warriors volunteer dog trainer; Todd Ericksen, member; and Donna Royall, Exalted Ruler. Also pictured is the service dog in training.
Cocoa Beach Elks Provide More than 600 Welcome Home Kits to Veterans Transitioning to Permanent Housing
- Details
- Written by Bobbie Vance
On Jan. 25, Cocoa Beach Elks Lodge #2387 reached a milestone of providing a total of 607 Welcome Home Kits, valued at $163,364 worth of supplies for veterans who are homeless and transitioning to permanent housing. The lodge is ranked second in the nation for the number of veterans served with these kits. Each month, lodge volunteers shop with veterans, who are humbled and thankful to have assistance getting their homes started. The lodge coordinates with Volunteers of America in Cocoa, Housing for Homeless in Rockledge, Support Services for Veterans Families in Cocoa and Dollar General Store Manager John Swartout in Cocoa Beach. The Welcome Home Kit program is funded by the Elks National Veterans Service Commission.
Pictured are a thankful veteran and member Linda Ireland; member and Army veteran Dan Burger with a veteran; and a veteran with his family after shopping for their Welcome Home Kits.
Bonita Springs-Estero Elks Host Car Show for Army of Hope
- Details
- Written by Shirley Thompson
Bonita Springs-Estero Elks Lodge #2753 hosted its annual car show Jan. 21 to benefit the Army of Hope. Thirty-one Elks volunteered at the event. The show featured 88 cars from both members and nonmembers. There were six classes from the 1900s to 2023, stock and modified, and best of show. The event included an Elks membership table as well as T-shirt sales, a chance auction and two 50/50 drawings. The opening ceremony was performed by the Guns n Hoses Pipes n Drums, a group of first responders wearing kilts marching and playing bagpipes. The event raised $6,880.39 for the Army of Hope.
Pictured are Jack Chickerillo (a member of Oak Lawn/Chicago Ridge, IL Lodge #2254 waiting to demit to Lodge #2753) and Pete Thompson, PER raising the flag and members of the Guns n Hoses Pipes n Drums.
Veterans Join Tampa Elks for Gasparilla Celebration
- Details
- Written by Rita Smith
On Jan. 28, eight veterans from New Beginnings joined approximately 250 Tampa Elks Lodge members celebrating Gasparilla in Tampa, Florida. The day included breakfast, games, a boat parade, and bag lunches and soft drinks.
The veterans are pictured with Debbie Brennan, Lodge Veterans Committee Secretary (fourth from left); Rita Smith, Exalted Ruler (sixth from left); José Remon, Lodge Veterans Committee Chair (second from right); and member Norman Benzing (far right).
Zephyrhills Elks Continues to Furnish Veterans' Homes in New Year
- Details
- Written by Ken Fabiani, PER
Cale Brown started his new year off right Jan. 4 by moving in to his new home near Bay Shore in Tampa, Florida. Brown felt relieved to have a place to call home. Army veteran John Newman and his family moved in to their new home in Riverview, Florida, Jan. 16. He, his wife and their four daughters were so happy to have a place of their own. Their homes were furnished using funds from the Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant and the Welcome Home Kit project as well as home furnishings from the Zephyrhills Lodge Veterans Committee. Assisting in the furnishing of these homes were lodge members Don Falaas, Larry Decena, and Ken Fabiani, PER, Veterans Chair.
New Port Richey Elks Participate in Wreaths Across America
- Details
- Written by Carol Lee Spages
New Port Richey Elks Lodge #2284 participated in a Wreaths Across America ceremony by placing 558 wreaths on the graves of veterans interred at Memorial Gardens Cemetery in New Port Richey. Over 100 lodge members and the public attended.
Pictured are John Herig Jr., event chair and five-year trustee; Sue Payton; Robert Payton, U.S. Coast Guard; and John Herig Sr., U.S. Army veteran. They are laying a wreath on the grave of U.S. Navy veteran Robert Payton.