Our Military & Veterans
- Details
- Written by: Ken Fabiani, PER
- 1
On May 20, the Zephyrhills Elks Lodge Veterans Committee donated $500 worth of personal hygiene items, shoes, sandals and undergarments to James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital in Tampa.
Ken Fabiani, PER, Lodge Veterans Chair, presented the donations to Angela Reinhart, Volunteer Service Coordinator.
- Details
- Written by: Ken Fabiani, PER
- 1
Veteran Craig Rahman and his wife, Olivia, lost their home six months ago when a hurricane took their St. Petersburg home. On June 5, the Zephyrhills Lodge Veterans Committee helped furnish their new home. Craig had a list of items they lost, including a washer and dryer, pots and pans, dishes, kitchen utensils, queen-size bed, lamps, coffee and end tables, dining room set, 72-inch flat screen television, 32-inch television, towels for the kitchen and bathroom, and linens and blankets.
Pictured are Howard Lundsford, Dave Greene, and Olivia and Craig Rahman.
- Details
- Written by: Ken Fabiani, PER
- 1
On June 5, the veterans committee of Zephyrhills Lodge delivered 50 lap blankets to veterans staying at Baldomero Lopez State Veterans’ Nursing Home. The lap blankets were made by the Happy Hookers from the Scotland Yard community.
- Details
- Written by: Rita Smith, PER
- 1
On May 16, the Tampa Elks Lodge Veterans Committee hosted 14 veterans from temporary housing at the Salvation Army and their driver, Daniel Smith, for dinner. Shelagh Gombarcik, PER cooked bacon cheeseburgers for them, and they enjoyed mozzarella sticks, fries and macadamia nut cookies. Committee members Evelyn Hemingway and Rita Smith, PER were their servers. The meal was paid for with funds raised by the committee through events and member donations.
Pictured are five veterans along with Salvation Army supervisor Daniel Smith, top right, and Rita Smith, PER, standing.
- Details
- Written by: Carol Lee Spages
- 1
In honor of Armed Forces Day, May 18, New Port Richey Elks Lodge #2284 donated a large tray of cookies and a thank you poster to the staff of the New Port Richey Armed Forces Recruitment Center.
Pictured are Petty Officer First Class Tony Martin, Navy; Gunnery Sgt. Lesesne, Marine Corps; Elizabeth Groves, Inner Guard, Lodge Americanism Chair and Air Force veteran; SSgt. Lisa Sparks, Air Force; and SSgt. Brandon Duffus, Army.
- Details
- Written by: Viera Elks
- 1
On May 5, Viera Elks Lodge #2817 served breakfast to 68 members of the Brevard County Veterans Coalition. The coalition is a volunteer entity comprised of members from all branches of the military who work to advance and educate veterans about VA claims, assistance with housing, medical appointments and more. They coordinate efforts and serve as the conduit for communication among local veterans. The meal was prepared and served by lodge officers and members. Funds for the meal came from the lodge’s charity account.
Pictured are Dawn Mailloux; Diane Blackmore; Nancy Miller, PDD; Ed Stark; Mary Stark; Kathi Wade; Kasha Harrell; and Wendy Carns, PER, District Vice President.
- Details
- Written by: Holly Balante
- 1
On April 27, Naples Lodge invited veterans from the Alpha House at Warrior Homes of Collier County to enjoy lunch at the lodge. Along with the $1,000 ENVSC Freedom Grant, the lodge voted to add $2,300 to purchase $100 gift cards for each of the 33 veterans to shop for personal items. Members also collected $800 worth of nonperishable food to help the veterans. Greg Tinsley, counselor with Peer to Peer, educated the members with stories of Warrior Homes helping veterans with housing, mental health resources and educational opportunities, including scholarships.
Pictured in the front row are Michael Clark and Bob Evans, veterans, and Holly Ludwig, Exalted Ruler and Army veteran. Pictured in the back row are George Salzano and Greg Tinsley, veterans, and Brian Kamp, Lodge grant coordinator.
- Details
- Written by: Holly Balante
- 1
On April 27, Naples Elks Lodge member Fabio Tagliasacchi participated in the Charity Roll 5K using his wheelchair and raised $1,004 for Naples Lodge to donate to Warrior Homes of Collier, which supports veterans and their families in the areas of housing, mental health and education.
Pictured with Tagliasacchi is Holly Ludwig, Exalted Ruler and an Army veteran.
- Details
- Written by: Taz WrightReynolds, PER
- 1
On April 16, Crestview Elks Lodge #2624 donated a military sign to Crestview Manor, an assisted-living facility in Crestview to honor the veterans who have selflessly served the nation. It states, “As long as there are veterans, the Elks will never forget them.”
Darwin Leatherman, PDD presents the sign.
- Details
- Written by: Virginia Warfield
- 1
On April 6, St. Petersburg Elks Lodge #1224 was one of more than 70 exhibitors with services and giveaways at the Bay Pines annual Veteran Stand Down for those who are homeless or at risk. Using funds from an Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant, the lodge purchased and distributed more than 200 pairs of new shoes, belts and socks. Volunteers also gave out backpacks and a substantial amount of men's and women's clothing and shoes donated by members. The veterans who attended the event were extremely grateful for everything.
Pictured are volunteers Gene Berry, VAVS Deputy Representative; Ruth Green; Heidi Green, PER; John Gillis, VAVS Deputy Representative; and lodge members Jan and Linda Musgrave.
- Details
- Written by: JoAnn Reddy
- 1
On March 23, the Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge Veterans Committee awarded Sean Brown a quilt from Quilts of Valor for his continued service of uniting veterans touched by war with highly skilled service dogs bred and trained at Southeastern Guide Dogs.
Pictured are Sean Brown; Tom Sweeney, Veterans Chair; and Sean's service dog, Nick.
- Details
- Written by: Karen Tracy
- 1
On Feb. 19, Jacksonville Lodge delivered its 10th Welcome Home Kit to U.S. Navy veteran ‘Tez.’ Having spent most of his time with the Navy on ships, life events after he left the service found him seeking assistance with the Five Star Veterans Center. His hard work with their program guided him to transitioning into his own apartment and enrolling in college, where he is studying environmental science. Along with needed household items, the lodge provided a bed frame, end table and sectional couch from donations from members, as well as some short-term food needs.
Pictured are John Pipkins, trustee; veteran Tez; and David Graham, Exalted Ruler.
- Port Orange Elks Donate and Deliver Supplies to Emory Bennett Veterans Nursing Home
- Sanford Elks Share Day of Fishing, Lunch and Bingo with Local Veterans
- Sanford Elks Host Pizza Lunch for Lake Baldwin VA Veterans
- Happy Hookers and Zephyrhills Elks Donate Blankets to Veterans After Amputation Surgery