Barre Elks Lodge continued its tradition of supporting The Veterans’ Place in Northfield, Vermont. For the 5th consecutive year, Barre Lodge has utilized a $2000 Elks National Foundation Beacon grant to purchase items for Veterans transitioning from the Veterans’ Place into their own housing. Members purchased, organized and packaged “Welcome Home” kits that contained cleaning supplies, shower curtains, towels, toasters, kitchen utensils, coffee makers, mixing bowls, alarm clocks and other items needed to set up a house.
According to The Veterans’ Place Executive Director, Phil Rowell, “the guys leave here needing nothing, everything is supplied for them. They know all about the (storage) room and use it.” The Veterans’ Place is a transitional housing facility combined with assistive services for Homeless Veterans in Central Vermont. Their goal is to help Homeless Veterans transition from the homeless population. The purpose of the Veterans’ Place is to help Vermont’s Homeless Veterans by providing desperately needed resources in an all-in-one locale so these Veterans may regain their PRIDE, reach their full potential, and once again become contributing members of society.
Elk members brought loads of items, filling a storage room, then chatted with the Veterans that were on hand to help unload the items.
Photo: Pictured are Exalted Ruler Maureen Lawson with Veterans Marc, Tom and Bob.