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Umatilla, FL 32784-0049
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Our Military & Veterans
West Palm Beach Lodge Holds Virtual 5K for Army of Hope
- Details
- Written by West Palm Beach Elks
On Feb. 27, West Palm Beach Elks Lodge #1352 held a 5K virtual run for the Army of Hope and raised $750. Participants could run outside the lodge or let your elk run it for you on the elk racing board.
Holiday Isles Lodge Card Group Donates Items to Female Veterans
- Details
- Written by Kim Debois
Donations of different items totaling $450 in value were collected by the Holiday Isles #1912 Card Group for the female veterans of the Bay Pines VA. Delivery was made in March 2021. The three women on the left from front to back are Phyllis Burk, Cheryl Pope and Ellen Royston. Next to them, from front to back are Andrea Snow and Diane Piscopo. Along the back are Elaine Hobson, June Tavener, Debbie Kellion, Rhonda Smith, Gayle Carter-Cuno and Betty Thor. Along the side wall from back to front are Joanie Pitney, Georgia Kelley, Loretta Barlett, Nancy Hunter, Beth Schwacke, Sandra Gann, Carol Richter, Carol Isham, Donna Osterhouse, Melodie Marco and Joan May.
Viera Lodge Continues Support of Local Veterans
- Details
- Written by Becky Wills
From Jan. 1 to Jan. 8, Viera Elks Lodge #2817 provided furniture to five veterans transitioning to permanent housing through the VOA/SSVF (Volunteers of America/Supportive Services for Veterans Families) Transitional Housing Program using $600 from the lodge’s Elks National Foundation Focus Grant ($600). Also in January, the lodge provided $144.33 from their Focus Grant to assist in paying an electric bill and new deposit for a veteran.
During the week of March 14, Viera Lodge provided crockpots, nonperishable food items, bus passes and $15 Walmart gift cards to 25 veterans. The $2,300 expenditure was funded by the lodge’s Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant and other charity funds.
Viera Elks Continue Supporting Local Veterans
- Details
- Written by Becky Wills
From Jan. 1 to Jan. 8, Viera Elks Lodge #2817 provided furniture to five veterans transitioning to permanent housing through the VOA/SSVF (Volunteers of America/Supportive Services for Veterans Families) Transitional Housing Program using $600 from the lodge’s Elks National Foundation Focus Grant ($600). Also in January, the lodge provided $144.33 from their Focus Grant to assist in paying an electric bill and new deposit for a veteran.
During the week of March 14, Viera Lodge provided crockpots, nonperishable food items, bus passes and $15 Walmart gift cards to 25 veterans. The $2,300 expenditure was funded by the lodge’s Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant and other charity funds.
Pompano Beach Lodge Member Paints Steps and Ramp at Naval Air Force Museum
- Details
- Written by Pompano Beach Elks
Past District Deputy and Pompano Beach Elks Lodge member Frank Sellers donated his time and materials to paint the front steps and the ramp of the Naval Air Force Museum in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This is a nonprofit organization for veterans.
Oakland Park Lodge and Scouts Honor Veterans with Dinner
- Details
- Written by Oakland Park Elks
On Feb. 28, Oakland Park Elks Lodge #2407 held a barbecue dinner in honor of veterans using funds from the Elks National Foundation Focus Grant. The catering was provided by a local establishment, and Boy Scouts were included in the dinner, as they organized the food and cleaned up.
Pictured are veterans and members Frank Sellers, PDD; Mark Roszkowski; and Bob Gunning, trustee.
Also pictured are scout mother Jennifer Thomas, scout Declan Thomas, scout mother Jessica Benari, scout Logan Benari, scout Grayson Luzniak, and scout mother Laura Luzniak.
LCpl Janos V Lutz Live to Tell Foundation Receives Donation from Hollywood West Elks
- Details
- Written by Hollywood West Elks
Hollywood West Elks Lodge #2365 donated a portion of its Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant, $500, to LCpl Janos V Lutz Live to Tell Foundation, which supports military members and first responders. Pictured Feb. 11 are Jim Blanchard, District Vice President; John Allison, Exalted Ruler; Peggy Felthaus, Treasurer; Janine Lutz, LCpl Janos V Lutz Live to Tell Foundation founder and CEO; and Ed Scanlon, House Committee chair.
Veterans' Harvest House Accepts $1,500 Worth of Food from Sarasota South Elks
- Details
- Written by Rose Wujcik
On March 15, Sarasota South Lodge donated $1,500 of food to Harvest House to feed veterans experiencing homelessness. The monies were from the Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant and matching funds from the Florida State Elks Association. Harvest House was created in 2010. Their VETS program assists male veterans who have struggled with emotional trauma and substance abuse after their service by offering housing set in a therapeutic community, recovery and life-skills classes, and case management services.
Veterans at VA Receive Gifts from Sarasota South Elks
- Details
- Written by Rose Wujcik
On March 17, members of Sarasota South Lodge used more than $3,000 from the Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant and matching funds from the Florida Elks Association to supply toiletries, socks and underwear for the veterans (male and female) at C.W. Bill Young VA Hospital. Pictured are Brinton Smith; Jim Lamb, PDD; Randy Vander Yacht, Johnny Miller, Veterans Representative; and Mike Wujcik.
Sarasota South Lodge Hosts GratitudeAmerica Four-day Veterans' Retreat
- Details
- Written by Rose Wujcik
On March 4th, Sarasota South Elks Lodge #2495 hosted Gratitude America, a Florida-based nonprofit organization founded in 2011. As explained on their website at gratitudeamerica.org, “GratitudeAmerica’s mission is to provide critical support for service members, veterans and their families by conducting meaningful restorative programs to assist veterans affected by deployment exposures such as traumatic brain injury and combat-related stress. GratitudeAmerica Military Support Retreats are a breakthrough, no cost, 4-day immersive and intensive experience designed to help combat Veterans and their supporters make peace with their past so they can begin planning for their new mission at home.”
Using its $2,000 Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to fund a portion of this four-day retreat, the lodge hosted 24 veterans and their spouses and support persons as well as GratitudeAmerica staff at the lodge for a meal prepared and served by lodge members.
Pictured are Michael Anthony, MAJ, USAR, CEO of GratitudeAmerica, and Richard Bouchard, Exalted Ruler.
Pensacola Beach Elks Help Provide Filled Backpacks to Veterans Experiencing Homelessness
- Details
- Written by Harriet Gossett
Pensacola Beach Elks Lodge #497 partnered with the Veteran’s Assistance Program for Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in Florida to provide backpacks to veterans experiencing homelessness. The backpacks included toilet paper, face masks, socks, knit caps, soaps, nail clippers, various shampoos, hand sanitizers, hand towels, face cloths and more. Twelve backpacks were assembled. Pictured packing at the lodge Feb. 27 are lodge members KB Branch; Jon Bock with his wife, Debi; and Kenny Gramenz.
Deep Creek Elks Use Freedom Grant to Give Needed Items, Gift Cards and Laundry Funds to Veterans
- Details
- Written by Carol Aitchison
Deep Creek Elks Lodge #2763 used its $2,500 Elks National Foundation Freedom Grant to provide cleaning supplies, personal hygiene items, and new sheets and towels for the residents of Veterans’ Village in Punta Gorda, Florida. Each of the residents also received a $50 Walmart gift card to purchase needed clothing items. The resident manager was given $100 in quarters to be used by the residents to do their laundry, since the facility has coin-operated washers and dryers. There are currently 23 veterans (19 men and 4 women) living at the facility, which serves as a halfway house for veterans experiencing homelessness. There are 12 apartments in the facility, each shared by two people. The veterans pay rent during their stay, and the goal is to get them rehomed into the community. This project was completed during March by Kay Neilley, lodge treasurer, and Carol Aitchison, Lecturing Knight.