Veterans

SPRINGFIELD ELKS LODGE #1560 HONORING VETERAN’S WITH WINTER APPAREL

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  Springfield Elks Lodge #1560 recently held a members all out effort to donate winter mittens, gloves and socks to the Vermont Veterans Home in Bennington, Vt.   Members donated dozens and dozens of  each article, solely for the residents of the Vet’s Home..   
 
Caption for attached pic;  In front is a Veteran resident Sue Bull 87 years old, and a living twin of her sister who is also still alive.  In  back is PER Carolee Murchie, CEO of the Vet’s home Mellissa Jackson, Recreational Therapy Director of the Vet’s home Michelle Burgess and Elks Chairman of the winter apparel drive Gloria Gunn.
 
News item submitted by Mike Gunn.

Springfield Elks Lodge news release

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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. 

 

Pictured:  Karen Whitney and Trevor McCants
 
Below, Karen Whitney and PER Jim Morse are shown presenting a $500 check to Michelle Burgess, Director of Veterans Services at the Vt. Veterans Home in Bennington, Vt., recently.  These funds were awarded by Elks National through a Freedom Grant that Ms’ Whitney applied for.  
 
L to r; Are Michelle Burgess Director of Veterans Services at the Vt. Veterans Home in Bennington, Vt., and Karen Whitney and PER Jim Morse.
 
News items submitted by Mike Gunn.

VEA Fraternal News

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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.

Bennington Elks Lodge Press Release

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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

Bennington Lodge of Elks #567 supports the Vermont Veteran’s Home

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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.

St. Albans Elks Lodge 1566, American Legion Post 1 and VFW Post 758 help 101 year old Veteran celebrate his Birthday

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Walter Jarvis, a World War ll Veteran, celebrated his 101st 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.

Barre Elks Loge Fraternal News

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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.

Barre Elks Lodge Fraternal News – Josh’s House

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Last week, members of Barre Lodge visited Josh’s House in Colchester’s Fort Ethan Allen to present a check for $2500 to Executive Director Val Pallotta.  The donation was made possible from an Elks National Veterans Service Commission Freedom Grant. Only 350 grants were available this year and Barre was the only Lodge in Vermont that received a Freedom grant.  The grants must focus on servicing veterans and active-duty military members in areas of employment, homelessness and housing, military families, health and educational support.  
Josh’s House,  a brand new veteran Wellness and recreation center, focuses on all of the areas.  Newly opened in March 2021, Josh’s House provides meals, classes, recreational opportunities, gym equipment, computers and quiet space for veterans and active-duty military members to gather.  Josh’s House has a very active Facebook page with numerous upcoming events including open house meet and greats, ladies nights, and BBQs.  Executive Development Director Andrea Gagner organizes free massages, educational talks about bee keeping and other activities for veterans.  They are always looking for donations of meals or gift cards to provide and have set up a Meal Train account for this.  
“Josh’s House is a place that service members can come home. It’s a safe place for whatever you may need. From a quiet space to just relax or to enjoy friendly conversations or just to find your own inner calm. A place that allows veterans of all eras to be welcomed and to feel at home,” said veteran Jordan.   
Barre Elks Lodge members are proud to support Josh’s House financially and look forward to actively participating in events there in the future.  
 
 
 
 
L to R: Barre Lodge trustee Frank Hotaling, Exalted Ruler Todd Benoit, Josh’s House Executive Director Val Pallotta and ENF Grant chair Patty Ristau.
 
 
 
 

BARRE ELKS LODGE FRATERNAL NEWS

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Members of Barre Lodge presented a $300 donation to Tylor Bigras representing Tires for Troops.  This non-profit provides Vermont Veterans with new snow tires and state inspections at no charge.  Founded in 2015 by Tylor Bigras, Tires for Troops has donated over $50,000 in tires and services to Veterans.  This donation was made possible with funds from the Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant. 
 
L to R: Maureen Lawson,  Barre Lodge PER, Patty Ristau,  Barre lodge ENF Chair, Tylor Bigras, Tires for Troops and Karen Bingham,  Barre lodge trustee. 

Members of Barre Lodge visit The Veterans’ Place

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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.