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.