Veterans

Veteran’s May dinner Bennington Elks #567

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On a cool and rainy day, Sunday May 5th, 2024, we helped transport 24 Veteran’s to the Elks lodge. (Less Veterans due to illness on one wing of the Veteran’s home)
The veterans and their 21 family members were treated to a filet mignon dinner with desserts prepared by members Greg and Jim Pinsonneault. Following their meal many veterans’ played bingo for prizes donated by the Elks. Thanks to lodge members Mike Kinney, Gary, Kitty, Ryan and Kristen Lewis, Scott and Dane Dickie, Kelly Kervan and volunteer helpers Ryan Marsden, Killian Kervan, Parker Lewis and VVH staff.
 
 
 
 
News item submitted by Kitty Lewis.

Veterans news from Bennington Lodge 567

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We are very fortunate to have the VT Veteran’s home in our small city.
On March 10th we held our annual Las Vegas day at the Veteran’s home, where many Vets played cards and wheels winning prizes provided by the Elks.
 What was important about this one was that the activities director Michele Burgess was retiring at the end of March 2024, after her career as the activities’ director for the past 47 years. 
  She has worked well with us at the Elks in Bennington, enabling us to provide  5 activities throughout the year to our Veterans-consisting of 2 fishing derbies June and September at the Veteran’s home Charron Pond with a cook-out for Veteran’s and their families, 2 steak dinners with families in May and November at the Elks lodge (to get them out of the home for a bit)- followed by bingo with prizes, and the Las Vegas day at the Vets Home in March. 
 
Pictured are Veteran’s committee co-chairs Gary Lewis and Mike Kinney with Michele Burgess receiving a plaque of appreciation from the Elks. 
 
A photo of overall look of Las Vegas day.
News item submitted by Kitty Lewis.

Brattleboro Lodge #1499 donates $18,000 to Shields & Stripes Organization

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Brattleboro, VT Lodge #1499 donated $18,000 to Shields & Stripes Organization.  The $18,000 will be used to fully fund a Veteran in their 6-month all-inclusive program which aids veterans in rejoining their families and communities as contributing and healthy members.  ChasingZERO project created fund rising events all year long with the mission to raise funds for Veterans and First Responders to decrease the suicide rate to ZERO.
 
 
Pictured L to R:  Lodge Member, ChasingZERO founder, and Army Veteran: Steven “Chase” Stanley, Chase’s Mom:  Penny Peterson and Adison’s Aunt: Kathleen Clark at the 22-mild walk to raise funds for Veteran and First Responder Suicide Awareness.  (Adison Clark, a Marine Veteran lost his battle to post-traumatic stress on American Soil on Jan 18, 2023)
 
News item submitted by Jil MacMenamin.

Brattleboro Lodge #1499 Veterans Breakfast

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Brattleboro Lodge #1499 had a successful Veterans Breakfast on Nov 12th serving over 100 Veterans and their families.  

Pictured is a Veteran Family enjoying their buffet breakfast with the table decorated with Thank-You letters and colorful drawings created by area school children.  The children’s work will be distributed to Veterans Centers, where they can be enjoyed again. 

News item submitted by Jil MacMenamin.

Saturday, September 9, 2023 come join Chasing Zero at the Brattleboro High School

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Saturday, September 9, 2023 come join Chasing Zero at the Brattleboro High School. The Brattleboro Elks #1499 is incredibly proud of the work Chase has done to get our Veteran & Suicide Awareness fundraiser where it is. Our goal is higher and the event is bigger! Please support if you can! Chasing ZERO
 
 
News item submitted by Jil MacMenamin.
 

Barre Elks Lodge #1535 Presented Items To Veterans, Inc.

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Barre Elks Lodge #1535 Exalted Ruler presented items to Veterans, Inc. Case Manager, Joyce Cloutier on July 25, 2023. Household items purchased from the Freedom grant were donated to veterans transitioning into permanent housing. Veterans Inc. is a national leader in ending homelessness among veterans and is located in Bradford, Vermont.

 

l-r: Joyce Cloutier, Case Manager, Cindy Whooley, Exalted Ruler Barre Elks Lodge #1535.

News item submitted by Cindy Whooley, ER Barre Elks Lodge.

SPRINGFIELD ELKS LODGE #1560 AWARDS GRANT TO VETERAN’S PLACE

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 Recently, Springfield Elks Lodge applied for a Freedom Grant through Elks National Foundation and were awarded $1000 to be given to The Veterans’ Place in Northfield, Vt.
 
     On Wednesday, June 21st, three Elk members traveled to Northfield to present a check to the Veterans’ Place Inc.  On their brochure the question is, If America is the home of the brave, why are so many of the brave homeless?   
 
     The Veterans’ Place, Inc., (TVPI) consists of transitional housing for homeless Veterans in Vermont.  The mission of the The Veteran’s Place is dedicated to providing unhoused veterans with the environment, tools and support they need to transition to independant, sustainable, substance-free and productive lives.  Also, their vision is to see an end to veteran homelessness through a statewide, coordinated, accessible network of supports and services, as modeled by TVPI.
 
     The Place consists of (18) single bedrooms and currently they have (17) occupants in the house.  The tenants may come and go as they please by signing the register at the entrance.  If possible they can hold down jobs and they have to sign back in each night unless they are on a weekend leave with family.  When they return they are tested to make sure they have not broken the rules, whether it be drugs or alcohol.   In some cases they are given 2nd chances but only one time.  
 
     The Veteran’s Place accepts donations and in-kind gifts like the Elks Grant.   Also, they apply for grants from the VA and other revenues.   The tenants at the Veteran’s Place come from recomendations by the VA Hospital in White River Jct., Vt.   Donations may be made to The Veterans’ Place, 220 Vine St., Northfield, Vt. 05663
 
Caption for attached pic;  Shown at the entrance of the Veterans’ Home is L to r; Mike Gunn, PR chairman for Spr. Elks,  Carolee Murchie current Exalted Ruler of the Spr. Elks, Diana Weggler Pres. of the Board at The Veteran’s Place and Karen Boyce, Director of The Veteran’s Place.
 
News item submitted by Mike Gunn.