Lodges all over the country are working diligently and creatively to meet the needs of veterans within their communities with funding from ENVSC’s Freedom Grant program. There are still Freedom Grants. Apply soon!
Here are just a few examples of how Lodges are working to uplift veterans in their communities with the Freedom Grants.
Members of Blue Springs, Mo. Lodge No. 2509 successfully packed 50 backpacks filled with clothing and personal care items that are daily necessities for veterans of Veterans Community Project in Kansas City. Veterans facing homelessness greatly benefit from these backpacks and it helps these veterans become one step closer to exiting homelessness. Blue Springs Elks have grown to become experts at this project after running it successfully for over 10 years!
At right, Blue Spring Elks delivering backpacks to Veterans Community Project.
Elks at Negaunee, Mich. Lodge No. 1116 sponsored a day of fishing for the residents of D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans with a portable fishing pond to the veterans home! Lodge members spent the day helping the residents by baiting hooks and pulling in the fish when caught. Negaunee Elks ran with creative initiative by providing an accessible outing event for these residents.
At left, Resident of Jacobetti Home for Veterans posing with the fish they’ve caught.
At Summit, N.J., Lodge No. 1246, Elks treated veterans of two local veterans homes to a minor league baseball game between the Somerset Patriots and Portland Sea Dogs! Elk also gifted each veteran a meal ticket for the game and a souvenir hat. Not only were the Elks able to provide these veterans with a fun day of entertainment, but they were also able to establish community support by showing these veterans that they can always depend on the kindness of the Elks.
The best part about the Freedom Grant program is that it provides Elk members the freedom to provide creative solutions to the needs of their local veterans! If you and your Lodge members would like to apply for a Freedom Grant, visit the Freedom Grant webpage to read guidelines and get started. There are a limited number of grants still available and we’d love to hear how your Lodge supports veterans in need throughout your community!
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