On Thursday, May 11th, 2023, nine Officers /
Members of the Rochester Elks visited the NH Veterans Home in Tilton, NH for a
residents Bingo Night. Making the trip were, Peter Ducharme, Exalted Ruler;
Deanna Souza, Esteemed Leading Knight; Keith Brooks, Esteemed Lecturing Knight;
Don Chesnel, Esquire; Jerry Skidds, Past Exalted Ruler, Past District Deputy;
Mark Guilmett, Past Exalted Ruler and Members Penny Taschereau, Natalie Cliché
and Lani Glinnen.
Over 20 residents played bingo for an hour and a half.
Bingo games were run by the Rochester members with assistance from the home’s
staff.
Veterans Home resident Norman Sanborn, Sr. and Rochester
Elks Member was there to greet the Rochester people upon arrival. Norm also
presented a certificate of appreciation from the Home Commandant, Kimberly
MacKay to the NH State Elks Association for their continued support of the
facility and the residents of the NH Veterans Home.
This was the first time in over 3 years that an outside
group was able to participate in bingo games due to Covid restrictions. The
residents and our Elks Lodges are very excited about being able to resume these
games. Rochester will now travel to the Home to play bingo during the months of
May and November. Other Elks lodges will also participate in the bingo nights
as well. There will also be a summer cookout and Christmas party this year.
Elks pledge "So long as there are veterans, the Benevolent
and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them." The Elks National
Veterans Service Commission takes that pledge one step further, and promises
service to our nation's veterans and military members, with a special focus on
service to those in need.
Thousands of Elks volunteers give generously of their time,
energy and resources to serve veterans and military members each day, to ensure
that pledge is not an idle one.
For more information about the Elks, please visit www.elks.org
Picture caption, l to r, NH Veterans Home resident and Rochester
Elks Member Norman Sanborn, Sr., chats with Rochester member Lani Glinnen prior
to the start of Bingo Night.