Veterans

SPRINGFIELD ELKS LODGE 1560 SECURES GRANT FOR THE VETERANS PLACE

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 Recently, Springfield Elks Veterans chairperson, Vicki Siliski applied for a Spotlight Grant through Elks National for The Veterans Place in Northfield, Vt.  She received back a sum of $2000 for her efforts. 
 
     The criteria for the grant for homeless veterans at the The Veterans Place home in Northfield is to provide them with useful items to be used by the Veterans.  For this project, the $2000 is going to help the home to purchase new box spring and mattresses for 26 rooms that they have for the Veterans.  This amount won’t buy for all 26 rooms but it will go a long way to help them complete their project. 
 
     The home was formally the Northfield Hospital which was turned into a home for homeless Veterans trying to get back on their feet.  The Veterans may stay there for two years then the home will help them by donating things for their next home or apartment. They supply them with kitchen utensils, furniture and goods to set up their home.  This program is helped by the VA Hospital in White River Jct., Vt. who screens the applicants from their patients in White River.
 
Caption for pic: L to r; Elks member Eugene Siliski, Administrative manager Karen Boyce, Elks Vet’s chairperson PER Vicki Siliski, Elks member Gloria Gunn and Vet resident at the home Bill Carrier.
 
News item submitted by Michael Gunn
 
 

Fraternal News – Barre Elks Lodge

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Barre Lodge #1535 was the site for the Barre Area Veteran’s Council Veteran’s appreciation dinner on November 7th.  Over 200 people attended the Roast Turkey Dinner, served by volunteers and students from Spaulding High School.  Veterans were the guests of the Council.   Proceeds of the evening were donated to   Fowler’s R&R Ranch Corp provides assistance to returning soldiers in their transition to civilian life by providing a low-stress working and living environment with mentoring in technical skill building. Specifically, we specialize in agriculture, farming, and gardening as well as other hands-on activities and learning opportunities surrounding farm work and local business. As an organization we are largely self-sustaining and our contributions to the community through an array of value-added products enrich Vermont’s locally based food market.
 
The Barre Area Veteran’s council is comprised of volunteers from Barre Legion Post 10,  Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 790,  Barre Lodge of Elks #1535, American Legion Auxiliary Post 10 and Sons of Union Veterans of Civil War. 
 
Photo Credits Kristin Calcagni
 
Ron Talman, Maureen Lawson and Chuck Barney
 
Veterans Renee Hotaling and Paul Gagne
 
Amy and Brian White, Brenda Clark  and Leo Fortier at the booth for the  VERMONT (SSN 792).  The submarine, (SSN 792), is the 19th nuclear attack submarine of the Virginia-Class, and is the third U.S. warship named “VERMONT.”   VERMONT is expected to be commissioned in late spring/early summer of 2020.  This volunteer committee’s mission is to provide a memorable Commissioning for the ship’s officers, crew, and sponsor; the U.S. Navy; the State of Vermont and its people; and the men and women who built the ship.
 
News item submitted by Kristin Calcagni 

Fraternal News – Barre Elks Lodge

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Barre Lodge #1535 recognized Veterans attending the November Senior Dinner.  The Veterans lead attendees reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and were  presented  a complimentary ticket for the January Senior Dinner. 

News item submitted by Barb Watters

SPRINGFIELD ELKS LODGE 1560 PRESENTS ELKS BEACON GRANT TO VA HOSPITAL

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  Recently, Springfield Elks Lodge 1560 presented a National Elks Beacon Grant to the VA Hospital in White River Jct., Vermont, in the amount of $1000.
 
    The Beacon Grant awarded to Springfield Elks Lodge was for $2000.  The Lodge elected to present the other half of the Beacon Grant to the Veterans Home in Bennington, Vt., in March. 
 
     Usually the Elks get a check and present it to the recipient.  This year, Springfield Elks did something different, they went out and bought toiletries in lieu of a check.  Items that the Elks presented them with were like, Men’s razors, shaving cream, deodorant.  Unisex toiletries, chap-stick, denture cream and hair brushes.  Reading glasses, men’s sweat pants, sweat shirts, briefs and t-shirts.  Also Arts & Crafts Supplies, fine point art markers, watercolor dual tip art markers, acrylic paint sets, wood burning kits, embroidery for cross stich kits, jewelry making supplies (beads, cords, etc.).  Wooden plaques, birdhouses, wood stain of any color and wood burning kits.
 
    With the above awards, Springfield Elks Lodge continues to show they are very vested in our Veteran’s, locally and state wide.  Springfield Elks Lodge Veteran’s chairman Vicki Siliski, has given much her time and efforts to get awards for them over the past few years.   The chairman of this latest Beacon Grant was treasurer Karen Whitney.   The contacts at the VA Hospital was Karen Campbell the Chief Voluntary Service Officer.  Also, Trevor McCants is the Logistics Supply Chain Officer and an Elks member of Bellows Falls Lodge #1619.
 
 
Caption: Shown is the National Elks Beacon Grant presentation at the VA Hospital by the Springfield Elks Lodge #1560 recently.  Shown L to r; Karen Whitney, Beacon Grant Chairman, Trevor McCants, VA Logistics Supply Chain Officer, Vicki Siliski, Veterans Chairman of Springfield Elks Lodge and Karen Campbell, VA Chief Voluntary Service Officer
 
News item submitted by Mike Gunn

Barre Lodge of Elks #1535 Recognizes JROTC Member Ella Mayo

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The Barre Lodge of Elks #1535 honored Ella Mayo as the JROTC Student of the Month.  Ella and her family were guests of the Lodge for dinner where she was presented the Grand Lodge Medallion and certificate recognizing her JROTC leadership and overall citizenship. 

Ella resides in Barre and is a Junior at Spaulding High School.  Next year she plans to attend Vermont Technical College, enrolled in the Vermont Academy of Science and Technology program where she will earn both high school and college credits.  Ella hopes to study Bio Medical Engineering and Biotechnology.  Ella has a keen interest in the development of prosthetic devices. 

Ella is a Platoon Sargent in the SHS Granite Battalion of JRTC.  She was selected by her instructors as she exemplifies the JROTC Cadet Creed by conducting herself to bring credit to her family, country, school and Corps of Cadets.  She is loyal and patriotic and the future of the United States.   She is an exemplary citizen and patriot and will always be prepared to uphold the Constitution and American way of Life.  

Ella was accompanied to dinner by her Mother Cara Mayo, her grandfather David Rathburn and sisters, Anna and Iris. 

 

pictured:  Robert Campo, ELLA MAYO, Iris Mayo, Phil Delia, Anna Mayo, David Rathburn and Cara Mayo

 

Robert Campo, Barre Elks; Ella Mayo JROTC Student of the Month; Phil Delia, Barre Elks. 

News item submitted by Barb Watters.

Green Mountain Power presents check to Barre Elks

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Tim Claflin, an employee of Green Mountain Power presented a check to Barre Elks for $604.  The money was raised/donated by employees of the Montpelier location and will be used for fruit/food baskets and/or grocery gift cards to help veterans and seniors.  The Elks is honored that Green Mountain Power recognizes and supports the Elks in their efforts to help others in our communities.  
 
 
L-R:  Barb Watters, Exalted Ruler Barre Lodge #1535; Timothy Clafin from Green Mountain Power
 
News items submitted by Barb Watters.

2018 Veterans Day Lunch with the 4th graders

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As a lodge we are very fortunate that Peaches Hart (PER) helps us deploy an ENF grant and deliver to the children a very thoughtful learning experience.  Each year she gets the 4th grade classes in Molly Stark elementary together and has them learn patriotic songs, then brings them to the Veterans Home and Bennington Project independence to present the show.  These kids practice for months to get the songs down devoting many hours of hard work.  We also supply each child a sweatshirt containing the Elks logo in either Red, White or Blue as a badge of honor.

This year we continued a tradition started last year by hosting these students at our lodge for a lunch between performances.  Our volunteers prepared hamburgers, hot dogs and French fries for these hungry students.  With the assistance of Bill Bryan (PER, PDD) we were able to deliver our national drug awareness materials with a short speech.  We were then treated a special musical performance by the students.  We would like to thank the members of our lodge for continuing to support such a worthwhile program for the local children.

 

News item submitted by Kelly Kervan

Vermont Elks Association members visit the VA Hospital

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Members of Burlington, Montpelier, Barre and Bellows Falls Elks Lodges visited Veterans at the VA hospital to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the BPOE.  Toiletries, blankets, t-shirts, gloves, games, cards, and supplies were donated to Veterans in attendance and on other floors.  The group enjoyed pizza and cake together in celebration.

 
 
From L to R:  DDGER North Fred Dusablon, Army National Guard Veteran Thomas and VEA State President Rocky Putnam.
 
From L to R:  Army Veteran Jeff, Navy Veteran Gary and Elk member Beth Dusablon.
 
From L to R:  Army National Guard Veteran Thomas, Veteran Vincent, retired guide dog Hamlet and Elks member Terry Paine.  

SPRINGFIELD ELKS LODGE #1560 WINTER COAT & SWEATER DRIVE

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  Recently, Springfield Elks Lodge #1560 had a Winter Coat and Sweater Drive through their members to aid the Vt. Veteran’s Place for Homeless Veteran’s in Northfield, Vt. 
    In September the Springfield Elks awarded a $1500 Elks National Anniversary Grant marking the 150 Year Anniversary of the founding of the Elks in 1868 to this very fine place in Northfield.
 
    According to Karen Boyce, the Administrative Manager of the home, the building was built in 1854 as a private residence for 100 years.  In 1936 it became the Northfield Hospital until a new hospital was built in 1966 and the home became a Nursing home for ten years.   From the late 70’s until 2005 it was an assisted living home.  Then for three years until 2008 it was empty before the VA Hospital made it into a home for Homeless Veterans in 2009.  All donations of money goes directly to a a Donation Fund at the VA Hospital, then that money is disbursed back to the home for funding their food and other supplies needed to run the home. 
 
    All items donated to the The Vet’s Place in Northfield, are dry cleaned, folded and labeled by size and put on shelves in their inventory room for the Vet’s to look over and choose what they would like to wear.
 
    Springfield Elks Lodge’s Veteran’s Chair person is Past Exalted Ruler Vicki Siliski who searches for Veteran’s causes to be served.  Over the years, the Lodge has directed funds to the Old Soldiers Home in Bennington, Vt., and to the VA Hospital in White River Jct., Vt., and donated to the Annual Vet’s dinner put on locally.
 
 
Shown is Karen Boyce, Administrative Manager of The Veteran’s Place in Northfield, Vt. with Vicki Siliski Past Exalted Ruler and Eugene Siliski, both of Springfield Elks Lodge.  Notice on the table the coats and sweaters the members donated to the home for Homeless Vet’s, and the shelves full of other clothing for the Vet’s.
 
News item submitted by Mike Gunn.