Rercently, Jim Morse PER of Springfield Elks Lodge presented $3000 worth of supplies and a check to the Veterans Home in Bennington, Vt.  The same amount of supplies and a check were also awarded to the VA Medical Center in White River Jct., Vt.

     This was from a $6000 Beacon/Spotlight Grant given to the Lodge by Elks National Foundation.  The purpose of the Grant was to supply the home with needed marerials that the Home specified they needed.   These Grants are submitted for annually to ENF and fortunately our Springfield Lodge has been the recipient for many years now. 

Jim Morse PER of Springfield Elks Lodge is shown awarding Michelle Burgess the Director of the Veterans Home supplies and a check to the Veterans Home in Bennington, Vt.

 

News item was submitted by Mike Gunn.

2023-February ELKS Magazine Page 47 published the Picture and description of Chase’s 22 Mile Walk for Veteran & 1st Responder Suicide. It’s only 9 months until 9/11/2023. In 2022 the #1499 added Breakfast & Lunch, High School Track walk so School and Anyone wanting to walk along with Chase, Veterans & 1st Responders walk to Veterans Bridge on Puteny Road, along with Brattleboro’s 1st Responders and Elks greeting Chase at the entrance to the Brattleboro Elks. How can we help Chase & Tiffany again this year? How can the Elks show their support for Veterans everywhere?

 

News item submitted by: Jil MacMenamin, Brattleboro #1499 PR

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. 

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.

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

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.

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

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.