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Veterans Leather Program

For many patients in VA hospitals, time can move slowly between visits from family and friends. In addition to holding events and providing friendship to veterans in VA hospitals, Elks also provide the tools for veterans to take up a new skill.

The Veterans Leather Program relies on the charity of hunters across the nation to donate hides so they can be turned into leather used for therapy programs for recovering veterans.

Leather is also used to provide professionally-crafted gloves for veterans in wheelchairs, which are distributed at veterans adaptive sports clinics and gatherings throughout the country. Click here to read more about the sports clinics!

Each year, thousands of Elks step up to help out with this program, offering their time, energy and skills to serve veterans. Their gifts help to create thousands of gloves and therapy kits provided to veterans at no charge.

Resources for Veterans Leather Program volunteers:

• Any Voluntary Service Representative can use this order form to request free wheelchair gloves for the veterans at their facility.

• Any Voluntary Service Representative can use this order form to request free leather to be used for therapy at their facility.

• Any Voluntary Service Representative or Lodge Veterans Chair can use this order form to request free craft kits from Help Heal Veterans to give to needy veterans.

• Craft kits available for use at VA facilities, State Veteran Homes, nursing homes, veterans shelters, or to veterans attending Lodge events. Please plan ahead and allow 3-4 weeks for delivery.

• Are you a hunter looking to help out the Elks? Click here to view an instructional guide. Then, contact your local Elks Lodge for drop-off information.

Check out other Elks Veterans Programs! Learn about the Adopt-a-Veteran, Elks VA Voluntary Service and Welcome Home Programs, and Freedom Grants.

Questions? Email Vets@elks.org or call 773/755-4736.

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