Summer is still lingering in the air and Elks all over the country have been working rigorously to uplift veterans in their communities! With funding from ENVSC’s Freedom Grant program, Elks can treat veterans to fun summer activities like a baseball game outing, handing out much needed hygiene kits or cooking a BBQ luncheon at a local VA facility. Here is some of this summers Freedom Grant project highlights of amazing Elk volunteers around the nation.
Elks from Gardena, Calif. Lodge No. 1919 sponsored The Long Beach VA Sharks for their return to this year’s National Veterans Golden Age Games! Members provided equipment for the Sharks tournament like shuffleboard discs, horseshoe set and pool cues. Thanks to the Elks generous donation of supplies, veterans of The Long Beach VA Sharks quality of life has improved with the ability to play new sports and significant participation in their wellness program.
Members from Derby, Conn. Lodge No. 571 banded together to build a beautiful outdoor community meeting space filled with foliage, patios and seating for Madaras Home. Madaras Home is Connecticut’s first and only community-based transitional home exclusively for veterans who are women. Through this new outdoor space, veterans and their children now have a place to escape and catch some fresh air.
At right, members from Gardena, Calif. Lodge No. 1919 delivering sports equipment to the Long Beach VA.
Elks in Palo Alto, Calif. Lodge No. 1471 worked diligently to put together Welcome Home Kits for veterans from the Palo Alto VA Hospital who are transitioning into new housing. Each kit provided contained items like a laundry basket, cleaning supplies, a tool kit, hygiene supplies and more. Thanks to these kits, veterans transitioning into their new homes won’t have to worry about purchasing these supplies for themselves and they can focus on getting acclimated into their new homes.
If you and your Lodge are looking to finish this summer with an amazing veterans project, visit the Freedom Grant webpage to read guidelines and apply! Summer isn’t over yet and what’s a better way to finish the season than uplifting veterans in your community?
At left, members from Derby, Conn Lodge No. 571 with one of the patios they built for veterans at Madaras Home.
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