Veterans

Barre Elks Lodge Fraternal News

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The Barre Area Veterans Council, comprised of the Barre Lodge of Elks #1535, American Legion Post #10, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #790 and Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War Camp 302, hosted a very successful homeless Veterans Stand Down.  The free, all-day event was open to all Veterans, homeless or at-risk and their families.  Over forty Veterans from Vermont and New Hampshire attended the stand down.  Veterans from the Northeast Kingdom, Rutland, New Hampshire and southern Vermont received showers, haircuts, short term resources such as a hot meal, winter clothing, toiletries and cold weather items.  Long term resources from the Veterans Administration, housing, legal and employment agencies, and counselors were also provided.  

Barre Lodge members donated well over 500 volunteer hours, clothing, toiletries, camping and food supplies.  Undergarments, blankets, toiletries, heat-a-seats, laundry detergent, shoelaces, hand and foot warmers, backpacks, beef jerky and protein bars were purchased with a $2000 Freedom Grant from Elks National Veterans Service Commission.  Six of twelve Vermont Elks Lodges donated items or funds to stand down.

Thirty six Veteran service organizations and over one hundred thirty volunteers participated in the event.  Over $200 in gas cards and $160 in grocery cards were given to attendees.

Photos by Kristin Calcagni)

From L to R:  Army Veteran Rodney, Esquire Cindy Wedding, Army Veteran Dana and Exalted Ruler Maureen Lawson

 

From L to R:  Exalted Ruler Maureen Lawson assists Veteran Chris Connolly with items received from stand down.

BARRE ELKS delivers goods to Veterans Place in Northfield, VT

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For the 4th consecutive year, Barre Elks Lodge 1535 has utilized the Beacon Grant to assist Veterans transitioning from Veteran’s Place to their own home/apartment.   Kitchen items are always in demand and very appreciated by those ‘setting up home’ on their own, so Barre Elks donated 7 microwaves, an array of flatware, linens and other essentials to assist.
 
As always, the Veterans were on hand to help unload the housewares and carry them to the storage area for availability to veterans moving out.
 
 

 

 
News item submitted by Barb Watters.

Americanism and veterans contribution.

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On Tuesday April 11th the Windsor elks presented the White River Junction veterans (in connection with Americanism and veterans support) with 3 cases of girl scout cookies to be distributed to the veterans when they held their farmers market on Wednesday the 12th.

 

L-R:  Norman Marshall PER, Voluntary Service Program Manager Karen Campbell and Harley Bettis State Of Vermont Trustee.

News item submitted by  Norman Marshall

BARRE ELKS LODGE FRATERNAL NEWS

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Barre Elks Lodge continued its tradition of supporting The Veterans Place in Northfield, Vermont. Barre Lodge utilized part of a $2000 Elks National Veterans Service Commission Freedom grant to purchase housing items for Veterans transitioning from the Veterans Place into their own housing. Members purchased, organized and packaged “Welcome Home” kits that contained sheets, towels, blankets, pillows, coffee makers, kitchen utensils, Tupperware and other items needed to set up a home.

According to The Veterans Place director Karen Boyce, “These items will help several Veterans that are transitioning into their own housing, some within the next month.”   Currently, the Veterans Place is serving 26 Veterans and has a waiting list. Veterans transition in and out of the Veterans Place throughout the year.

(Photos from Kristin Calcagni)

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From L to R:  Veteran residents Bob Davis and Joseph Cobb, Elks members Paul Gagne and Karen Bingham.

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From L to R:  Veteran residents Dean Bouvier, Fred E., Walter Pinette, Exalted Ruler Elect Maureen Lawson, Elks members Paul Gagne, Karen Bingham, David Bingham, Veteran residents Bob Davis and Stephen Parker.

SPRINGFIELD ELKS LODGE 1560 PRESENTATION AT VETERANS HOME

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 Springfield Elks Lodge made the third presentation this year for an Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to the Vermont Veterans Home in Bennington, Vt., recently.
 Exalted Ruler Vicki Siliski presented Retired Colonel USMC Al Faxon, Chief Operating Officer at the Veteran’s Home in Bennington, Vt with a check for $500 which was gained through a Gratitude Grant from Elks National Foundation.
 Col. Faxon said “because military veterans and their family members truly understand the importance of commitment and service, the decision to live at the Vermont Veterans Home means much more than choosing a nursing home.  At the Veteran’s Home , we work hard every day to fulfill our nation’s promise to care for those who have served.” They invite you to join their family.
 Situated on 84 acres along the Roaring Branch River in Bennington, the Vermont Veterans’ Home features walking paths, gardens, a stocked trout pond and a herd of Fallow Deer.  It is a first-class residential and healthcare campus.  Skylit corridors lead to lounges with expansive windows and each room has a view of a garden of wooded vista.  The decor is warm and appealing and well maintained similar to military spit and polish.
Jack Barnes a member of Springfield Elks Lodge in Springfield, Vt., is a resident of the Vermont Veteran’s Home in Bennington.
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Exalted Ruler Vicki Siliski of Springfield Elks Lodge is shown presenting Col. Al Faxon USMC retired with a check for $500 allocated to Arts & Crafts and Toiletries at the Vermont Veterans’ Home in Bennington, Vt.
Article submitted by Mike Gunn

Newport Vt Lodge # 2155 makes a Veterans Donation

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Newport VT Elks Lodge #2155 donated $400 worth of Canteen coupons for Veterans at the VA Hospital to buy a meal if they are traveling or other needs while they are there.

 

va-pic-12-12-15Pictured left to right-Jeff VA Hospital service coordinator, Tim veteran and Raymond Dewing, veterans committee chairperson (also a veteran)

SPRINGFIELD ELKS LODGE 1560 MAKES DONATION TO THE VA HOSPITAL

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Recently, Springfield Elks Lodge 1560 Exalted Ruler Vicki Siliski met with Alfred Montoya, Medical Center Director at the VA Hospital in White River Junction and presented an Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant of $500 from her Lodge in Springfield, Vt.
    The Gratitude Grant was accomplished by the Springfield Lodge completing their commitment of annual per capita funds to the Elks National Foundation.   By  completing this sum to ENF, Springfield Elks Lodge was reimbursed a certain amount under the Gratitude Grant program.   Each Lodge in the country can apply for these Grants after they meet their per capita to ENF.
    Also accompanying ER Siliski to the VA Hospital for the presentation were members Mike Gunn and Gloria Gunn.  Welcoming the three Elks were, Andy Lacasse Public Affairs Director, Becky Rhoads Executive Assistant to Director Montoya, Brook  Robinson Recreation Therapist, Katherine Tang Intern of Public of Affairs.   Also, three veterans attending therapy activities at the hospital that day were Keith Morgan an Air Force and Army veteran from Brownsville, Vt., Linda Deforge of North Hartland, Vt., and Ed Lamer of Northfield, Vt.,  veterans of the Navy.
    The $500 Grant to the hospital was designated for “Arts & Crafts and Toiletries” for the veterans who attend the hospital daily or are patients there.  Ms’ Robinson runs this department where the Veterans participate in activities like wood burning, leather craft, painting on slate, snow shoeing, cooking, golfing and an area where Veterans randomly discuss how their lives are going, etc.
    With the sum of money that the Springfield Elks was reimbursed from ENF, they will be making other awards to the Veterans Home in Bennington, Vt., the Stingrays Swim Team in Springfield, Vt., and the Post Prom party committee in Springfield, Vt.   Going forward, Springfield Elks Lodge is always looking for other community causes to award money to.   In 2017, the Lodge will again be applying for another Gratitude Grant to be given out after they have met their quota to ENF.  The Lodge is hoping causes will get in touch with them to see if their community program would qualify.  Just write a letter to the Springfield Elks Lodge at 49 Park St., Springfield, Vt. 05156
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Shown are the participants for the Springfield Elks Lodge’s Gratitude Grant presentation at the VA Hospital in White River Jct., Vt. recently.
Frt l to r; Linda Deforge, Director Alfred Montoya, Exalted Ruler Vicki Siliski and Ed Lamer.  Back; Keith Morgan, Brook Robinson and Gloria Gunn.
Story submitted by Mike Gunn

Barre Elks utilized part of an ENF Freedom Grant to host a FREE Veteran’s Day Community Celebration Luncheon

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Barre Elks utilized part of an ENF Freedom Grant to host a FREE Veteran’s Day Community Celebration Luncheon at Woodridge Nursing and Rehabilition. Chef Mike Kennedy’s menu included chicken noodle soup, homemade meat or vegetarian lasagna, tossed salad, garlic bread and cheesecake.  Elks members served residents and community members.  Family members of residents attended the event as well.

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ER Kristin Calcagni and Lauren Bylow take luncheon orders from Woodridge residents
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Helper Lauren Bylow talks with Woodridge residents
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Woodridge residents and family members patiently wait for their Elks serving staff
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Woodridge resident family member Doris Fournier thanks Loyal Knight Maureen Lawson for helping with the event
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PER Chip Paine visits with Woodridge residents

Barre Elks Lodge recognized Veterans in attendance at their monthly senior meal

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Barre Elks Lodge recognized Veterans in attendance at their monthly senior meal.  Forty two Veterans received a free turkey dinner .  In addition to their free meal, they were given an American Flag pin to thank them for their service. Our Americanism chairperson Maureen McGinn Lawson spearheaded the recognition. Thank you to all Veterans for their service.
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Americanism Chair Maureen Lawson with Veteran Homer Fitts

1ST Annual Veterans and Active Military Appreciation Event hosted by the St. Albans Elks lodge and the 14TH Star Brewery

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(These comments were posted on the St. Albans Elks Lodge #1566 Facebook page by Stacey Trudo, Veterans affairs for the lodge)

Thank you to all of the veterans and active military personnel and theirs families who took time out of their day to come to ours and 14th Star Brewery’s 1st Annual Appreciation Event! We can not thank you all enough for all of your sacrifices and service to our country! It was such a great event! We hope to see you all and more next year! Thank you so much to all of our food and prize sponsors! We couldn’t have done it without you! Thank you to all of our Elks’s and 14th Star volunteers! We could not have done it without you!

 

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Just some of the Veterans / Active members in attendance

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Brian Brady (Army Guard), Sandra Bracey (St. Albans Lodge ER), Gary Rice (Army – Vietnam) and Stacey Trudo (Lodge Veterans Affairs)

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Elroy with Marcus and Madison Gagner

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Andrea Gagner (CEO 14th Star), Valerie Pollotta (Josh Pollotta Fund), Jill Trombley (14th Star),

Sandra Bracey (Lodge #1566 ER) and Stacey Trudo (Veterans Affairs – Lodge #1566)