Veterans Committee Report (Jan 2019)

Veterans Committee  (Previously published in the Lodge Antlers magazine.)

Happy New Year from the Veterans Committee. We kept busy in December. At the December 12th, spaghetti dinner we had 11 James A. Haley Foster Veterans and their caregivers. Once again, the committee was able to make a donation of $1,000.00 to the Outpatient Foster Care Program’s patients. Each of their 25 patients in the program received a $40.00 gift card. Dan Waite and the Sandpiper Community were also able to provide the personal care packages to each veteran that included toiletries, puzzle books, socks and a knitted cap. We have donated $650.00 to augment the cost for the April 30, 2019, “Flight to Honor” for two of the Foster Program’s WWII Veterans. We were also able to assist the Lakeland Veterans Center again with $400.00 in gift cards for the Christmas needs of their veterans who are struggling.

Our gifts and camaraderie means a lot. Here are a few exerts from Kathryn’s email regarding our donation:
“Geoff, Caroline, and Carla, our Lakeland Medical Foster Program enjoyed a wonderful home cooked spaghetti meal last night to close out our 2018 Awesome year experiencing camaraderie ‘at its finest’ at the Lakeland Elks last night. We had 14 (or so) Veterans attending with their Caregivers and family members last night. All Veterans received a box filled with miscellaneous gifts and EACH rec’d a gift card for $40.00. And those ADORABLE hand-made toboggans! So functional as well  Thanks so much to Char Fisher (pictured top left), Chair of the Veteran Committee, at the Lakeland Elks  She had spent much of her creativity, time, and talents to generate monies to assist JUST our Medical Foster Veterans, among other Veterans in the Greater Polk County Community. Our Veterans have rec’d wonderful meals all throughout the year on 2nd Wednesday nights, and when needed, special packages of gifts for specific needs have been afforded to Veterans in need. Also, the Lakeland Elks offer our Main Hospital Veterans and families and Caregivers a Wonderful picnic for over a thousand recipients in the Fall. In addition, and most recently, the Lakeland Elks have donated $650.00 to augment costs for the April 30, 2019 “Flight to Honor” for 2 of our WWII Veterans. Thanks so much to the Lakeland Elks for all the WONDERFUL generosity! The Mission to serve our US Veterans and families is truly realized with the Lakeland Elks! “

The Foster Veterans will return Wednesday February 13, 2019, so please join us for dinner
that night.

We would like to thank all of you for your help and support.

Char and Kristen