Karen Whitney of Springfield Elks Lodge is shown presenting a $500 check to Trevor McCants at the VA Hospital recently.  Ms’ Whitney applied for a Freedom Grant through Elks National and the beneficiary was the VA.  Mr. McCants is the acting Associate Director for the VA. 

VEA Americanism Chair Maureen Lawson visited Josh Pallotta Fund at Josh’s House, VT today to present them with an American flag and stand to display inside their facility courtesy of the Vermont Elks Association.

Pictured L to R: Volunteer Nick, Maureen Lawson, DDGER North Kristin Calcagni and Veteran Cliff. Josh’s House is a wellness and recreation center for Vermont’s service members, located in Colchester, VT.

News item submitted by Kristin Calcagni.

A check in the amount of $1,250 was presented by Exalted Ruler Fred Gilbar to a team from the WRJ VT VA Medical Center’s Bennington Outpatient Clinic.  The Bennington Lodge of Elks received a Community Investment Program Gratitude Grant from the Grand Lodge to support the Clinic’s Unrestricted Fund which is used for veteran’s needs such as food, clothing and toiletry items. 

 

Pictured from left to right:  Danica REhn-Brandt, AMSA; Rebecca Sherman, LPN; Nora Parsons, MSW; Fred Gilbar; and Whitney Brooks, RN.

News item submitted by Lori Pinsonneault, Bennington Lodge PR Chairperson

A check in the amount of $1,250 is presented to Melissa Jackson, CEO of the Vermont Veteran’s Home by Bennington Lodge of Elks Exalted Ruler Fred Gilbar.  The Bennington Elks received a Gratitude Grant from the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Grand Lodge to support the Member’s Assistance Fund at The Vermont Veteran’s Home.  This Fund supports specific needs (furniture, haircuts, clothing and other personal items) of the Home’s residents. 

Pictured left to right, Lori Pinsonneault (Bennington Elks Lodge Officer), Melissa Jackson and Fred Gilbar. The Gratitude Grant is supported by the Grand Lodge’s Community Investment Program.

News item submitted by Kristin Calcagni.

Walter Jarvis, a World War ll Veteran, celebrated his 101^st birthday at the St. Albans Nursing Home with a special meal sponsored by the Elks Lodge #1566, the VFW Post 758 and the American Legion Post 1, all of St. Albans.  Per Walter’s request, the meal included a Shrimp Cocktail, real homemade French fries, a beef tenderloin steak medium rare, chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream.  The meal was prepared by Katie Walsh, owner of Jeff’s Maine Seafood Restaurant.

Walter has lived in St. Albans all of his life.  He operated his own auto repair business for many years and went on to teach the same at the BFA High School.  His wife passed away a few years ago and his children still live in the area.  Walter is a life member of the American Legion and the VFW.

Pictured l-r:   Joe Montcalm – Elks State Trustee and St. Albans Elks member who coordinated the event, Stacey Trudo – Veterans Affairs Chairperson St. Albans Elks, Walter, Peter Bocash – Commander American Legion Post #1 (and was in the first class Walter taught at BFA)

News item submitted by Larry Bouchard.

Exalted Ruler Todd Benoit and trustee Frank Hotaling delivered $1750 worth of items to The Veterans Place in Northfield. These household items will replenish a storage room that Veterans shop from when transitioning into their own apartments. This donation was made possible thanks to the Elks National Foundation Beacon grant. This is our 8th year supporting The Veterans’ Place.   

News item submitted by Kristin Calcagni.

Members of Barre Lodge visited The Veterans’ Place in Northfield, Vermont, last Saturday to deliver items for transitioning Veterans. Over $2000 worth of pots and pans, microwaves, cookie sheets, glasses, bowls, crockpots and Pyrex containers were all purchased with funds from the Elks National Foundation Beacon grant.

Pictured from L to R: VEA Veterans Chair Chip Paine, Barre Lodge Veterans Chair Renee Hotaling, Barre Lodge ENF Chair Patty Ristau, Barre Lodge Exalted Ruler Frank Hotaling, Veteran resident Bob and member Terry Paine.

News item submitted by Kristin Calcagni.