Elks Lodge 1291 Veteran Activities
VETERANS CRISIS LINE
The Veterans Crisis Line connects Veterans and their families and friends with qualified and caring Department of Veterans Affairs responders through a confidential toll-free hot line, on line chat or text. They can call 1-800-273-8255 and press 1, chat on line or send a text message to 838255 to receive confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Support for the deaf and hard of hearing individuals is available.
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Defense Officials approve expanded Veterans on-line shopping benefits.
CLICK HERE to see how it will work.
Committee Report May, 2021
We are just beginning to get started. Saturday May 15th, was our Armed Forces Day event, and what a fantastic event. The meal was catered by Carrabbas, and the entertainment was provided by our own Mark Hussey. Mark did an outstanding and amazing job. He provided interesting and fun facts on some “big name” veterans throughout the evening and his music kept the crowd moving all night long. He donated his tips for the evening back to our veterans fund. THANK YOU Mark, for a wonderful evening and for all that you do!
The kitchen volunteers, Steve Masterton, Anne Marie Wendel, Johnny Francks, Patty Strickland, Karen Hervey, Ryann Sands, and Cathy Swann plated and served flawlessly. A special thank you goes to them and a few other volunteers from the evening, Alice Murray, Vicki Baker, Justin Troller, Ann Murray, Scott Lewis, Kristen Francks and Christy Frady. Volunteers are the key to our functions and this group did a spectacular job at this event. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
As the deadline for this article is due, we are still waiting to confirm a final number, but it appears that after expenses, our first fundraiser brought in $2,065.00! So, again, a huge thank you, to you, the members for making this possible. Lakeland Lodge has the best members that continue to amaze with their support and generosity!!
Our next veteran event will be a Fourth of July picnic. See our flyer for details.
“So long as there are veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, will never forget them.”
Here’s to another great year,
Char and Kristen
Committee Report February 2021
Lakeland Veteran Center Beverage Donation
On February 16, 2021 the Lakeland Elks Lodge donated just over $700.00 of drinks and accessories to the Lakeland Veteran Center, that included 15 cases of soda, 10 cases of Gatorade, 8 cases of water, 1 case of Splenda, 1 case of sugar, 6 boxes of liquid creamer cups and 10 boxes of 100 count K-cup coffee pods.
The drinks provide a necessary comfort item for the veterans to use during their meetings and therapy sessions and alleviates the need for the veteran to provide their own as the center does not have a budget for these items.
Pictured from Lakeland Veteran Center (from left) are: Yolanda Crosby, Greg Phipps and Sherri’ Pritchett Veterans Outreach Specialist
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Donation to James A Haley VA Hospital
Lakeland Elks Lodge 1291 worked with the James A Haley VA Hospital to assist them with some of their most recent needs. The lodge donated just over $5,000.00 of much needed items on February 25, 2021. The Voluntary Services Department, which includes permanent, long term patients, and homeless veterans was provided with 66 pair of reading glasses, 46 pair of M&W’s (men’s and women’s)slide sandals; 60 pair M&W’s sweatpants; 58 pair M&W’s sweatshirts; 76 pair M&W’s shorts; 106 M&W’s t-shirts; 34 laundry bags.
The Recreational Therapy Department, which includes poly trauma, spinal cord injury, dementia and Alzheimer’s patients was provided with blue tooth speakers; laser tag games; 24 packs of 24 colored pencils; 8 Fidget/Memory loss blankets; 26 large print coloring books; 13 Alzheimer memory activities; 8 board games; 6 Wii games; 40 large print crossword and word search books; 14 paint with water books and paint brushes; 14 large piece wooden puzzles.
All of these items will assist hundreds of veterans in their care and treatment.
Pictured from left, Shelby Schoenborn of Voluntary Services, Steve Masterton, PER Lakeland Elks, Geoff Hopkins of Recreational Therapy Services and John McArthur Lakeland Elks
Committee Report December 2020
Christmas Donation to James A Haley Veteran Hospital Foster Veteran Program.
On December 9, 2020 we donated just over $1,200.00 to the James A Haley VA Hospital Medical Foster Home Program. This included a $50 gift card and an oversized throw/blanket for 18 Foster veterans that are in this program.
The gifts were truly appreciated, as quoted from Kathryn Bryant, CTRS, CBIS, their program director “Thank you ALL so much for your generous gifts; the blankets will be sure to keep us warm and cozy and the money will give us independence to spread some of our own Holiday cheer or give an opportunity to purchase a much needed item or two. Thank you Thank you Thank YOU Lakeland Elks ❤ We know we are remembered and much appreciate our continued support from YOU ALL. Have a very special Holiday season! Love, the VA Home Based Primary Care Medical Foster Veterans 😊 “
Foster Veterans Gifts
(l-R) Kathryn Bryant, CTRS, CBIS of James A Haley Hospital and Char Fisher, Lakeland Elks Veterans Committee Chair
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Lunch Provided For Patients at James A Haley Veterans Hospital
On Friday December 18, 2020, we delivered a Christmas lunch to the Spinal Cord Injury Department at James A Haley VA Hospital. We worked with Geoff Hopkins the Supervisor of Recreation Therapy & Creative Arts Therapy and followed their COVID restrictions to feed 80 patients a Chick-Fil-A lunch. We also sent signed Christmas cards and candy canes to be distributed with each meal to give the veterans some holiday cheer.
Chick Fil A Lunch
Standing Lakeland Elks Steve Masterton, PER and Char Fisher Veteran Committee Chair, with Geoff Hopkins Supervisor of Recreation Therapy & Creative Arts Therapy at James A Haley Hospital
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