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Our Military & Veterans
Port Orange Elks Makes Donation to Emory Bennett Veterans Nursing Home
- Details
- Written by Frank Kuczkowski, PER
On April 16, Port Orange Elks Lodge #2723 presented a check for $554.42 to the Emory Bennett Veterans Nursing Home in Daytona, Florida, to support activities for the home’s residents. In addition to the check, the lodge provides monthly birthday cakes, ice cream and sodas as well as an annual cookout for residents and staff. The lodge also provides technology to support programs needed for the residents. Funds are provided by a Gratitude Grant from the Elks National Foundation. Pictured are Frank Tamberelli, PSP; Dee Glover, Emory Bennett State Veterans Nursing Home representative; and Frank Kuczkowski, PER. Not pictured is Jerry Peterson, Exalted Ruler and Veterans Services District Chair.
Veteran Receives Bicycle from St. Petersburg Lodge for Transportation
- Details
- Written by May Graci
St. Petersburg Elks Lodge member Penny Rase donated a Bianchi Grizzly mountain bike valued at $700 for an Army veteran at Bay Pines VAMC. On April 7, Johnny Miller, lodge member and Grand Lodge VAVS Representative to C.W. Bill Young VAMC, presented it to the veteran who was in need of a bicycle for transportation purposes. St. Petersburg has many streets with lanes that specifically accommodate bicyclists.
Winter Park Lodge Hosts K9s for Veterans Trainer and Dog in Training
- Details
- Written by Dick Bardsley, PDD
Ron Goluba, PER, Elks representative to Orlando VA Medical Center, welcomed Deanna Fisher and her family to Winter Park Elks Lodge’s dinner and dance April 2. With her was Captain, a 7-month-old English Lab who is in training to be a mental and mobility service dog for a veteran. Fisher is a volunteer with K9s for Veterans, whose mission is to help veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder transition to civilian life once their military service has ended with the help of trained service dogs. Fisher’s family members are members of the lodge and she applied to be a member during the visit. Pictured are Fisher and Captain at the lodge.
Zephyrhills Elks Supply Needed Items to VA Domiciliary
- Details
- Written by Zephyrhills Elks
On Feb. 25, Zephyrhills Elks Lodge #2731 donated T-shirts, underwear and socks to the James A. Haley VA Domiciliary using more than $500 of its Florida State Elks Association matching Beacon Grant funds. Pictured are Don Falaas; Shirley Crawford; Ken Fabiani, PER, Veterans Chair; Judy Osgood, Elks National Foundation Fundraising Chair; Paul Nutting, PER; Mark Ruiz, Program Manager/Chief; and Ryan Natzsche, Recreation Director, VA Domiciliary.
Zephyrhills Lodge Disperses State Matching Grant to James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital
- Details
- Written by Zephyrhills Elks
On March 18, Zephyrhills Lodge gave monetary donations totaling $2,937.98 from their Florida State Elks Association matching Beacon Grant to five James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital (JaHVH) programs — Comfort Closet, Canteen Books, Patient Advocate Office, Inpatient Chronic Rehabilitation Program and Outpatient Rehabilitation Services. Pictured are Mitra Gobin, Chief Volunteer Services of JAHVH; Frederica O'Donnell, Supervisor IPCR; Judy Osgood, Elks National Foundation Lodge Chair; Ken Fabiani, PER, Lodge Veterans Chair; and Janett Lopez, JAHVH volunteer.
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.