An Elkmas Surprise

So this little nugget arrived with the Oshkosh, Wis., Lodge No. 292 Freedom Grant Final Report Form. We had to share it with the rest of Elkdom. Read on to learn more about the Lodge’s project to support veterans experiencing homelessness.




'Twas the Night Before Elkmas


By Grant Coordinator Pamela Schedivy

‘Twas months before Christmas, when through email it went,
With high hopes a proposal, had swiftly been sent
It was carefully written, with much detail to share,
And showed homeless veterans, Elks surely did care.


The grant writer waited, sitting on the Lodge floor,
To tell of the answer, if they’d just shut the door.
While officers in red coats and members without caps,
Sat patiently waiting for Jimmy’s three raps.


Protocol first, then new business was led
“Lodge people please listen, WE GOT IT!” she said.
The people erupted, the cheers did abound
Now people to help would needed to be found.


JoAnn Fabrics with discounts, the yarn we did buy.
Needles clicked and clacked as the women did try
To answer an appeal in the Wapiti the next day
“Needed knitters and crocheters of scarves” it did say.


Next a trip to Shopko for gloves, hats, and socks too
But not enough on the shelves, oh boohoo!
So on to Goodwill for gloves we did find
The final for 100 to get us out of this bind.


Walgreens did discount at store cost for us
Toothbrushes, toothpaste, Carmex and plus,
Deodorant, soap holders, and all the good stuff
Needed for Veterans who had it so tough.


More was donated to make our packages complete
That is what really makes Elkdom so sweet.
Soon all scarves were in, labels written and tagged,
Each item then carefully picked out and then bagged.


The car headed northwest and onward to King,
Thirty-one bags for the homeless it did bring.
From Michael, a homeless Veteran came a smile
And “Thank you! This will hold me over for awhile.”


Then on to the Veterans Department of Affairs
Sixty-nine bags with socks folded in pairs.
Winnebago and Outagamie counties they’ll go
For cold, homeless veterans who needed them so.


The Freedom Grant is completed and done,
Except for documentation which is kind of no fun.
But well worth the hassle so we can make it right
For those veterans who served and went out to fight.


Interested in organizing a charitable project to help meet the needs of today’s veterans? Consider using an Anniversary Grant, Beacon Grant, or Gratitude Grant to serve veterans in your community today!

The Elks National Foundation allocated $12.53 million this year to fund the Community Investments Program. Lodges meet local needs through Beacon, Gratitude, Promise and Impact Grants. These grants offer Lodges opportunities to serve the community in ways that will raise the Lodge’s profile, energize the membership, encourage former members to return to the fold, and gain the notice of people who want to be part of an organization that’s doing great things. To learn more about the Community Investments Program, please visit elks.org/CIP.


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