Our Military & Veterans
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- Written by: JoAnn Reddy
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On July 22, Manasota Elks Lodge #2734 held a barbecue lunch of hot dogs, hamburgers, salads, baked beans and ice cream at Veterans Village. About 20 veteran residents and staff members attended. Funds from the Elks National Foundation Focus Grant were used to purchase the food, and Lodge Veterans Committee members prepared and served the food.
Pictured are Jim Klocke, PER; Dave, a resident; Sherri Kramer, Lodge Treasurer; and another veteran resident.
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- Written by: Diane Hendrick
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On July 16, Fort Myers Elks Lodge #1288 presented a $13,500 donation to Hearts & Homes for Veterans Inc., which supports veterans and their families experiencing homelessness and who find themselves without the necessities of everyday life. This donation was made with funds from the Elks National Foundation Beacon, Gratitude and Spotlight grants.
Pictured are Lisa Kaiser, Hearts & Homes office manager; Diane Hendrick, lodge board chair; Dale Spain, Hearts & Homes CEO; Mike Grafe, Exalted Ruler; Vicki Carter, Loyal Knight.
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- Written by: Paul Hollingsworth
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On June 23, Bill Rauh, Bradenton Elks Lodge Veterans Chair, brought $667 worth of supplies donated by members to Bay Pines Veterans Home in St. Petersburg. Items included underwear, toiletries and toothbrushes.
Pictured are Bill Rauh and Johnny Miller, Bay Pines VAVS representative.
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- Written by: West Palm Beach Elks
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On May 29, West Palm Beach Elks Lodge #1352 invited a group of veterans from the local VA hospital who are blind for an evening of music, camaraderie and celebration. The karaoke night, specially organized to honor the veterans, brought joy and laughter that filled the lodge with pride and purpose.
Pictured are veterans and lodge members.
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- Written by: Winter Garden Elks
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On May 26, the Winter Garden Elks Riders presented Challenge 22 with the $4,000 they raised from their Feb. 8 charity ride. Challenge 22’s mission is to end veteran suicide.
Pictured are Austin Arthur and Kurt Geis, lodge members and leaders of Challenge 22.
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- Written by: Susan Janes
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On June 11, eight members of Cocoa Beach Elks Lodge #2387 shopped with eight veterans at Dollar General in Cocoa Beach, purchasing $3218.30 worth of goods for the veterans. With the coupons that are downloaded, the discounts from Dollar General and the money for the ENVSC Welcome Home Kits, they spend approximately $400 per veteran on items to help the veterans set up their new home.
Pictured are member Gene Phillips and a veteran after shopping.
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- Written by: South Miami/Coral Gables Elks
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Between March 11 and April 1, South Miami/Coral Gables Elks Lodge #1676 used its Elks National Foundation Beacon and Spotlight grants. Members Rick Del Vecchio and Fred Jaca, PDD met with VA personnel to determine what was needed to help veterans experiencing homelessness. The lodge then spent $5,874.48 on backpacks and members filled them with socks, toiletries, mosquito repellant, flip-flops, rain ponchos, dried fruit packs, tuna and chicken packets, protein bars, and food gift cards for 120 veterans.
Pictured delivering the backpacks to VA staff members Britney Brice, Denise Ramirez and Tatyana Anglade are Fred Jaca, PDD, Exalted Ruler; and Rick Del Vecchio, Lodge Grants Coordinator.
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- Written by: Perry Elks
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On April 13, Perry Elks Lodge #1851 divided its $4,000 Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant among three entities. Members visited veterans residing at Aspire at Big Bend Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. Using $1,275 of the grant funds, they purchased personalized clothing with each veteran’s branch of service. Each vet also received a handmade lap blanket made by member Ann-Marie Preman. Eric Hodge, PER and Felisa Calhoun, Exalted Ruler, are pictured giving a local veteran at Aspire an Army T-shirt. Also pictured are Eric Hodge, PER; Felisa Calhoun; and Ann-Marie Preman giving a blanket to a veteran at Aspire.
The lodge donated $2,500 from the Beacon Grant to the local Senior Citizens Center, which supports and serves many veterans daily. Pictured at the check presentation with residents are Jim Daly, member; Gordon Brown, Lecturing Knight; Earline Neeley, Lodge Secretary; Rachel Russell, senior center director; Sylvia Ellanson, trustee; Eric Hodge, PER; Pat Ferguson, member; David Harden, Esquire; Jeanne Harden, Leading Knight; Vera Howell, Tiler; and Wayne Padgett, Taylor County Sheriff and member.
The remaining $225 was shared with the local American Legion/Veterans Service to help repair their accessible ramp, which was damaged by a hurricane. Felisa Calhoun, Exalted Ruler, right, is pictured giving the check to Jim Day, Post Commander of Taylor County Memorial American Legion #96.
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- Written by: David Valinski
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On June 19, the Palm Coast Elks Lodge Veterans Committee presented a $500 donation to the Quilts of Valor Foundation, whose mission is to cover service members and veterans touched by war in comforting and healing Quilts of Valor and to say, “Thank you for your service and sacrifice.” The donation came from the fundraising efforts of the Veterans Committee. A Quilt of Valor was also awarded to James B. Adams, E4, United States Air Force.
Pictured are Veterans Committee members Jerry DiMenna, David Valinski, PER Bill Hall, and Sean Reardon presenting the check to members of Quilts of Valor Foundation. Also pictured are Barbara Prusinski, a longtime friend of Adams and a representative from the Indiana Quilts of Valor who helped make the quilt, and James B. Adams, E4, USAF with his Quilt of Valor.
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- Written by: Perry Elks
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On May 26, Perry Elks Lodge #1851 held a Memorial Day tribute with a presentation of the Missing Man Table (MIA/POW) at the local Veterans Memorial Park, which was open to the public. PER Eric Hodge presided over the ceremony and was joined by Exalted Ruler Felisa Calhoun and lodge members. Together, they paid tribute to those who never made it home, ensuring their sacrifice is never forgotten.
Pictured are Eric Hodge, PER; Felisa Calhoun, Exalted Ruler; Tasha Smith, Al Smith, and Fonda Neel, trustees; Gordon Brown, Lecturing Knight; Earline Neeley, Secretary; Sylvia Ellanson, trustee; Vera Howell, Tiler; and members Danny Ellison, Pat Ferguson, Marie O'Steen, Jamie Sheffield, Doris Putnel, Velma Hingson, Nikki Anderson, and Charlotte Morris.
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- Written by: Taz WrightReynolds, PER
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On May 27, Holley-Navarre Lodge donated $750 from the Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to Healing Paws for Warriors, an organization that trains and provides service dogs to veterans in need of extra four-legged support.
Pictured are Jenna Ladik, member’s spouse; Buddy Elliott, Lecturing Knight; John Ladik, lodge trustee; CMSgt. Dennis Krebs, USAF, ret., HPFW executive director; Monika and her service dog, Buddy; Tom Stevens, PDD, Exalted Ruler; Suzanne White, Lodge Secretary; and Carol Borden, Tiler.
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- Written by: Green Cove Springs Elks
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On May 18, Green Cove Springs Elks Lodge #1892 hosted residents of the Clyde E. Lassen Veterans Nursing Home and their guests for lunch and an afternoon of fishing from the lodge's dock. This was funded through a portion of the Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant. Fourteen lodge members assisted 16 residents, 15 family members and friends, and five nursing home staff members with fishing and served a lunch of burgers, hot dogs, chips and ice cream.
Pictured are Dr. Rick Kunze, PER, Lodge Veterans Chair; member Laura Russell; Army veteran Dianne Gregory; Penny Kunze, VAVS Deputy Representative; Army veteran John Gregory; and Navy veteran James Massey. Also pictured are nursing home staff members on the dock.