Veterans News

Boost Grants Inspire Voluntary Service Reps to Go Above and Beyond

Each year, Voluntary Service Representatives can apply to ENVSC for additional funding for projects or activities at their facilities through the Boost Grant. This grant is meant to enhance the regular monthly activities that volunteers run throughout the year, by allowing them to expand a current project or branch out for a new opportunity. Here’s a look at some of our Representatives in action.

Venita Collier is the Voluntary Service Representative at the Valor Point housing facility in Lakewood, Colorado. Over the past few years, she has used Boost Grant funding for an ongoing garden project. While veterans are living at Valor Point, taking care of the garden gives them an outlet. The facility even holds cooking classes so they can learn to use the produce grown in the garden for some tasty dishes.

At right, Venita works with the team to fill the garden planters

Venita also assists many veterans when they are ready to depart Valor Point and move into their own apartments. She explains that during the time veterans spend together at Valor Point, they become a family.

In Worcester, Massachusetts, Voluntary Service Representative Tim Landry wanted to provide activities for the veterans from the Community Resource and Referral Center. The facility has limited visits due to Covid, so Tim decided to use a Boost Grant to provide a variety of outdoor game equipment for activities like lawn bowling, bocce ball, badminton, fishing poles, outdoor Jenga, and more.

Then, a unique opportunity came up for veterans to attend Candlelight: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac. This multisensory experience included violin and piano music performances surrounded by candles at Old South Church in Boston.

At left, veterans await the Candlelight performance by the church doors.

When Voluntary Service Representative Betty Stewart noticed that the Fort Wayne, Indiana VA Medical Center’s food pantry was running short of food every week, she decided to do something about it. Using a Boost Grant, she has been providing extra food on a regular basis. This funding allows the pantry to provide specific foods to meet veterans’ dietary needs like salt, sugar, or gluten free foods, and baby food.

When Betty arrives at the hospital, the veterans recognize her. She says, “It’s a great feeling when they know you are there to help.”

These projects are examples of the way Elks are always expanding and improving their service to veterans. Voluntary Service Representatives adapt to veteran needs and continue to offer support where they are needed most. Let your Lodge take inspiration from these projects to branch out and try new ways of serving veterans.

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