Download the waiver form here: Waiver form

Here are the Registration and Pledge forms for the Silver Towers Walkathon to be held on Sunday August 5, 2018.

Registration Form

Pledge Form

Items were submitted by Kristin Calcagni

Barre Elks Lodge #1535 raised $6200 to for Silver Towers Camp at the First Annual Barre Elks Invitational Golf Tournament.   The tournament was held at Barre Country Club with a dinner and awards following at the Lodge.   Funds were raised via sponsorships and team participation and will be used to perpetuate Silver Tower’s Camp in Ripton, VT. 

On Sunday August 13 Bellows Falls Elks Lodge #1619 held their 3rd Annual Cow Plop Contest for their State Major Project, Silver Towers Camp at Rocky and Karen’s in South Charlestown. The Vermont Elks being a very close knit community had participants from Lodges throughout the State. Two contests were held and prizes of $300 & $150 were won in both. The first contest winners were Brian Read of Charlestown and Joe Montcalm of St. Albans Lodge. The second contest was won by Renee St. Sauveur and Mike McLean, both of Charlestown.

$550 was raised for Silver Towers Camp from the first contest, along with donations of over $160 from hamburg, hot dogs (cooked by Jerry & Cheryl), corn on the cob, soda and water. Plus, one of the winners generously donated his winnings of $150  to the VT Elks Charities Endowment Trust Fund.

Pictured are: Past State President Ray Buisson (BF Lodge #1619), President Elect Morris “Rocky” Putnam (BF Lodge #1619), 4H’er Abigail & little sister Megan Putnam, District Deputy South Norm Marshall (Windsor Lodge #1665), and Past State President Keith Palmer (St. Albans Lodge #1566), along with the main attraction, Thistle and Apricot. Many many thanks go out to those who donated their time for the cause. Ray, Norm & Keith were good sports to “judge” the contests.

Article Submitted by:  KAREN MCCORMICK-PUTNAM

The 11th Annual Motorcycle / Classic Car Ride To Benefit the Elks Silver Towers Camp was held on Sunday, July 30.  The participants met at their local lodge and traveled to  the Middlebury High School. From there the group together with riders from around Vermont continued to the Silver Towers Camp in Ripton, VT.   The campers enjoyed seeing all the bikers as did the bikers enjoy hanging with the campers and enjoying a great BBQ.

The St. Albans Bikers – Harold & Laurie Hubbard, Greg Maskell, Bob Helferty, Tim Fontana and Gaylord Boucher

Bikers gathering at Middlebury High School

Silver Towers Campers awaiting the arrival of the Bikers from around the State.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Every year since 1998, the Kraft family and the New England Patriots have been celebrating those who give their time to help others.  The program was originally known as the Community Quarterback Awards, and were presented to those who exemplify leadership, dedication and a commitment to improving their communities through volunteerism.

Back in 2011, the awards were renamed in honor of the late Myra Kraft who committed her life to volunteering.  As part of the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation’s ongoing Celebrate Volunteerism initiative, the Kraft family hosts a special luncheon each year to show their appreciation for local volunteers. 

On Thursday, June 8, 26 volunteers were recognized for their contributions at an awards ceremony at Gillette Stadium. Fifteen local volunteers received a $5,000 grant for the nonprofit organization for which they volunteer. Ten others received grants of $10,000 for their New England-based nonprofit and one grand prize winner was presented with a $25,000 grant for their charity.

On hand to congratulate the award winners were Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft, New England Patriots Charitable Foundation President Joshua Kraft and Patriots and Pro Football Hall of Famer and Patriots Executive Director of Community Affairs Andre Tippett. Patriots players Tom Brady, Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski also made a surprise appearance to congratulate the winners.

Kenneth Thompson of Rutland, Vt. was recognized as one of this year’s $5,000 third prize winners.

Thompson joined the Vermont Elks back in 1983 and has been actively involved in every aspect of its mission. Over the years he has been involved in many youth and veteran activities and was elected as President of the Vermont Elks Association where he oversaw 12 Elks lodges.

Through his volunteer work, Thompson was instrumental in helping to save Silver Towers Camp, a safe, overnight camp for more than 300 people with disabilities.

“Our organization is extremely proud that Kenneth Thompson has been chosen for this award,” said Brian Gaura, 2017-2018 State President of the Vermont Elks Association. “Kenneth led this organization and supported our State Major Project when some folks thought we should close our doors.  His perseverance and determination along with many other members of our organization has turned Silver Towers into a safe haven where our very special campers can enjoy their vacation each summer. Without his dedication to the Elks, this camp may have closed and for that we are forever grateful to Kenneth Thompson.”

As a veteran of the United States navy, Thompson has displayed a longstanding commitment to serving his local community and his country. 

“I am honored to receive this award as I am equally honored to be a member of the Vermont Elks Association,” said Thompson. “Having served as State President in 2005-2006, our State Major Project, Silver Towers Camp is near and dear to my heart. Volunteering is a way of life for me and my family. It is such a great feeling when you know you have made a difference in the lives of some very special people.”

Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft and Patriots and Pro Football Hall of Famer Andre Tippett congratulate Kenneth Thompson from Vermont Elks Charities for being selected as a 2017 Myra Kraft Community MVP Award third prize winner. During the June 8 luncheon, the Kraft family and the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation awarded $200,000 in grants to 26 New England nonprofits. The Vermont Elks Charities received a $5,000 grant in honor of Thompson’s volunteer efforts. (photo courtesy of Eric J. Adler/New England Patriots)

l-r: Ken’s wife Nancy, Ken,  Carolyn Revenna – Silver Towers Camp Director and Brian Gaura – 2017-2018 President of the Vermont Elks Association are pictured with the Patriots Super Bowl Trophies. 

Tables were donated to Silver Towers Camp by McDonald’s in Rutland. They arrived without bases. After several trips back & forth by Harley & Joanne Bettis, and Rocky & Karen Putnam, the project was complete. 

Pictured are Rocky, Karen & Harley with Joanne as the photographer.

24 table bases were generously welded & donated by Osgood Welding of Claremont, NH…pictured are Rocky Putnam and Debbie & Kevin Osgood. Harley & Joanne met Rocky & Karen at Osgood’s to bring all the bases to Silver Towers Camp, which was followed by wire brush scraping the new bases, mounting them to the table tops and painting the new bases.

News item submitted by Karen Putnam