On Sat., March 2nd, Springfield Elks Lodge 1560 presented an Elks National Beacon Grant to the VT Veteran’s Home in Bennington, VT. This was part of a total Beacon Grant for $2000. The recipients – VT Veterans Home in Bennington, VT and the VA Hospital in White River Jct., VT each received $1000 and were asked to submit their own Wish Lists for $500 each for Toiletry needs and $500 for Art & Crafts supplies. The Springfield Elks Lodge presented the VA Hospital in White River Jct. in person a couple weeks ago with their Wish List items.
The items that were presented to the Vet’s Home, were Toiletry (8) Men’s electric razors. Arts & Crafts consisting of Wood Kits – birdhouses, keepsake boxes, various shapes and sizes of wood cut-outs for wood burning. Wood burning soldering tools, stains, paints and brushes. Sun catchers and glass hangers to color and paint. Glass paint. Assorted Adult coloring books, pens, markers and sketch books.
Beacon Grant lead person, Karen Whitney informed Michelle Burgess (Activities Director at the VT Veterans Home) and Karen Campbell (Chief of Voluntary Service at the VA Hospital), that Springfield 1560 Club looks forward to turning this into an annual submittal for the Beacon Grant to benefit both facilities. A second presentation was made to Jack Barnes a tenant at the Vet’s Home who is celebrating his 20th year as a member of Springfield Elks Lodge
Springfield Elks Lodge 1560, members making the trip to Bennington for the presentation were, Exalted Ruler Jim Morse, PER and Elks Vet’s Chairman Vicki Siliski, Beacon Grant lead person Karen Whitney, Sec., Mike Gunn, Eugene Siliski and Gloria Gunn.
Shown L to r: Michelle Burgess Activities Direct, Eugene Siliski, PER Vicki Siliski, ER Jim Morse, Veteran Jack Barnes a member of Spr. Elks and tenant of Vt., Vet’s Home, Karen Whitney and Gloria Gunn.
News item provided by Mike Gunn.