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Our Military & Veterans
Sarasota South Elks Support Infinite Heroes
- Details
- Written by Lisa Frick
On Aug. 10, Sarasota South Elks Lodge #2495 donated its $2,500 Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to Infinite Heroes, an extension program of Infinite Wishes Foundation. Infinite Heroes gives respite trips to active-duty military members and veterans who have been combat-wounded and are permanently disabled and/or mobility impaired or have a service-related life-threatening illness. They are given spending money for the trips as well, which serve as much-needed family time.
Pictured are Larry Hildebrand, Exalted Ruler, and Lisa Frick, Infinite Wishes Foundation executive director.
Veterans at VA Hospital Receive Patriot Bucks and Magazines from Brandon Elks and Ladies
- Details
- Written by Mary Lou Scribner, PER
Robin Rutzke, Brandon Lodge Veterans Services Chair, requested magazine donations for veterans, so members and their spouses along with Brandon Ladies of Elks members and others responded with more than 90 pounds of magazines, which Rutzke delivered July 29 to Kim Peatee Field, recreation therapist at James A. Haley Hospital. The magazines were earmarked for veterans in short-stay rehabilitation. In addition, generous lodge members donated $320 and asked that it be used for veterans at the VA hospital. Rutzke put this money to good work and purchased coupon books called Patriot Buck$. The Spinal Cord Injury Center received $220 of these coupon books for its patients and the remaining $100 of the coupon books were presented to the VA chaplain to distribute to patients as needed. The hospitalized veterans can use the coupons on anything in the Patriot Store, Café or Coffee Shop at the hospital.
Accepting the coupon books and a sampling of the magazines is Ellen Tolson, Center for Development and Civic Engagement Specialist.
Eustis Elks Spend Day with Veterans at Fort McCoy VFW Retirement Home
- Details
- Written by Margaret Schnichels
On July 25, Eustis Elks Lodge #1578 made its monthly visit to Veterans Village at Fort McCoy VFW Retirement Home. This month’s theme was NASCAR racing and each veteran got a car to race down the track, with prizes given to each winner. Lunch was provided as well. Funds from the Elks National Foundation Freedom Grant were used.
Pictured are members and some of the veterans: Sally Dupuis; Sue Summerall; Dick Witt, Navy veteran; Jean Witt; a veteran; Darla Orr, Army veteran; and a veteran.
Brandon Elks Recognize Veterans' Birthdays at Liberty Manor
- Details
- Written by Mary Lou Scribner, PER
Robin Rutzke, Brandon Elks Lodge’s Veteran Chair, and Sharon Hammersla, PDD find creative ways to make veterans feel appreciated. They are using a portion of the Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant to celebrate the birthdays of the veterans who reside at Liberty Manor, as many of the veterans may not have any family members or others to recognize their birthday. Grant funds are used to purchase $30 Walmart gift cards, and members bake or donate a cake. On May 13, veteran Douglas Jones was surprised on his birthday with a cake donated by a lodge member along with his gift card. When Rutzke delivered the birthday cake and card, Jones could not believe anyone even knew it was his birthday; he jumped up and gave her a big thank you hug. In addition, veteran Wolf accepted cakes and gift cards on behalf of two other residents who celebrated their birthdays in April and May. In June, cakes and cards were delivered to James Dunn and Chris Cuvellier. A member also donated canned cat food and treats for Skunkie, their resident cat.
Pictured are veterans Douglas Jones and Wolf and the cakes and cards..
Zephyrhills Elks Lodge Furnishes Veteran's New Home
- Details
- Written by Ken Fabiani, PER
On July 11 using the Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant, the Zephyrhills Elks Lodge Veterans Committee helped furnish veteran Rocky Stevens’ new home, which he moved into with assistance from Tampa Bay Crossroad. Assisting with the furnishings were volunteer Howard Lunsford and Ken Fabiani, PER, Veterans chair.
Pictured is Rocky Stevens.
Perry Elks Donate Grant for Veterans Food Bank
- Details
- Written by Perry Elks
Perry Elks Lodge #1851 donated its $1,000 Elks National Foundation Freedom Spark Grant to the local chapter of the VFW #9225 to help them with a food bank for veterans in need.
Pictured are Eric Hodge, Exalted Ruler, with Michael Thrift, VFW 9225 Post Commander and Perry Elks Lodge member.
Viera Elks Lodge Use Grant to Aid Transitioning Veterans and Volunteers of America
- Details
- Written by Becky Wills
Viera Elks Lodge #2817 continued its support of local veterans this quarter by using $300 from the lodge’s Focus Grant to provide furniture to two veterans in April who were transitioning to permanent housing. The program is VOA/SSVF (Volunteers of America/Supportive Services for Veterans Families) Transitional Housing Program. In addition, $900, also from the Focus Grant, was donated to the VOA to aid in the building of a gazebo at the Volunteers of America facility in Cocoa, Florida.
Pompano Beach Elks Pack Supplies for Women Veterans at Miami VA
- Details
- Written by Pompano Beach Elks
On March 15, using the Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant, Pompano Beach Elks Lodge #1898 volunteer members delivered 16 laundry baskets filled with household items to the Miami VA Healthcare System. Included in the baskets were pots and pans, towels, cleaning supplies, and gift cards. The baskets will be used by women veterans in HUD/VASH.
Pictured are members Charlotte Burrie, Maureen McMahon-Roberts, Frank Sellers Jr., Joan Gall and Beverly Keating.
West Palm Beach Elks Lodge Sponsors Veterans at Songwriters for Vets Event
- Details
- Written by West Palm Beach Elks
On June 4, West Palm Beach Elks Lodge #1352 sent four members who are veterans to the Songwriters for Vets event held in Jupiter, Florida. The lodge purchased a four-person VIP table for them. Songwriters for Vets is a nonprofit organization with a mission to bring awareness to and fundraise for military veterans and supporting organizations through events, songwriters, music, sponsors’ food and good times. Pictured are attendees Edmond Troy, Joe Llorens, Dr. Roxanne Olson and Robert Josefsberg.
Brooksville Elks Fill Bags for Veterans Experiencing Homelessness
- Details
- Written by Sherry Mackeil
On April 13, Brooksville Elks Lodge #2582 put together 100 bags for veterans in Brooksville, Florida, who are homeless. Lodge members got together to shop, organize and fill the bags. They purchased hygiene items along with towels, T-shirts and socks. Money for these items came from member donations raised at the lodge. Camping World of New Port Richey donated the bags for this project, and the Hernando County Veterans Service distributed the bags to the veterans.
Pictured with the bags are Diane Hein, Tiler; Nora Hughson, trustee; Jane Hussey, Inner Guard; Sherry Mackeil, Treasurer; Peter Berna, House Committee member; Carr Hussey, Exalted Ruler; Bill Rundgren, Esquire; Mike Hughson, trustee; and Richard Griffith, trustee. Not pictured is Cindy Griffith, House Committee Chair.
Naples Elks Lodge Delivers Goods and Funds Cape Coral VA
- Details
- Written by Naples Elks
On June 4, Naples Elks Lodge #2010 donated a van-full of nonperishable food items as well as household items such as paper towels, dish soaps and laundry items, valued at $2,500, to the Cape Coral Veterans Administration food drive. In addition, a check for $1,100 ($500 from the lodge and $600 from members) was donated to help supply veterans' needs.
Tampa Elks Place Wreath at Veterans' Cemetery for Memorial Day
- Details
- Written by Rita Smith
Every Memorial Day there is a service at American Legion Post 5 in Tampa, Florida, the home of the only privately owned veterans’ cemetery. There are speeches from military officers, politicians, and distinguished veterans, and there is a three-gun salute. Local service groups are invited to participate by posting a memorial wreath. Frank Palladini, Past State President, first participated when he was Tampa Lodge’s Exalted Ruler in 1995. He has since participated every year, alongside each current Exalted Ruler. This year, Rita Smith had the honor of participating.
Pictured are a scout from Troop 25, Rita Smith and Frank Palladini, PSP.