Here is how we help our veterans
VETERANS COMMITTEE REPORT
By Robert Kielsa PER
I'm excited to announce that your Veterans Committee raised $6,500 in our annual April Dart Tournament! Please read Kayleen’s report for more details on the 2026 Dart Tournament. Congratulations to our First Place winners, Kyle Krivanek and Ron Starjnski as well as the second place winners, Marie Starjnski and Larry Wittenborn. A big thank you to both teams for donating their winnings to our mortgage paydown initiative! The Horse bet event provided another $250 for the mortgage paydown. A few of our more recent donations are: $700 for food and clothing for our homeless Veterans, $2,000 for DVA Chapter 4 to help them buy a new truck to help Disabled Veterans, Greg Koper has purchased and delivered 15 Welcome Home Kits worth $8,910, and finally we donated $1,700 to sponsor a veteran’s family to participate in Base Camp at the White Stallion facility. As we hit Summer, our homeless veterans are in need of a number of things we can contribute that will help with their comfort and health. Canned food, like chili, soup, stew, tuna, chicken, spam, fruit cups, with pop-up tops, is needed. Crackers, trail mix, beef jerky, Gatorade, bottles of water, and individual bags of chips/crackers/snacks, protein bars, cookies, canned fruit, and small packaged fruit drinks are helpful. Mouthwash in smaller bottles, toothpaste and brushes, lip balm, sunscreen and hats are needed as well. Backpacks, small amount gift cards ($10, $15) to grocery stores and fast food are also very helpful. All these items need to be placed in the white plastic basket in the front of the lounge for pickup and distribution. As far as clothing goes, we need new T-shirts (Med, Lg, XL), jeans ( W 33, 34, 36), long-sleeve shirts, and socks. Please place all NEW items, along with food, in the White barrel in the lounge.
As always, a big thank you for your continued support for our veterans!
Arizona Department of Veterans' Services
VETERAN'S MEMORIAL WALL DISPLAY PLAQUES
The Veterans Committee has established a Memorial to Honor our Veterans, First Responders, Fire and Police. Immediately outside our front door there are four enclosed cases that will hold 200 plaques where a veterans name, rank, years of service and military branch may be inscribed. This is a very visual way to honor our veteran and first responders, and is a fund raiser for our committee. Glass plaques will be sold for $75 for any member who wishes one for their service, for a friend or family members. We have one member who plans to obtain a plaque for his father, father-in-law and himself. Signup sheets are at the bar or can be obtained by emailing bobkielsa@gmail.com, lisahensley88@gmail.com or kayleenborah@gmail.com for application forms. An application is also included as an insert in the Bugle. All plaques will be placed on the wall in the order the application and payment are received.
Two new programs
Sponsored by Catalina Mountain Elks Lodge #2815
By Bob Kielsa
I’m excited to announce that our lodge has two more programs designed to support our military and veterans.
The first program is Recycle Cell Phones for our troops. Since 2004 this organization has recycled over 30 million devices, and have provided over 400 million free minutes by sending more than 5 million
calling cards to our service personnel overseas.
You can donate by dropping your used cell phones at the lodge or providing cash or a check (made out to Catalina Mountain Elks Lodge #2815) in an envelope marked for veterans committee in the Cell
Phone box in the lounge.
Our second program is through an organization called Intrepid Hospice. They are looking for volunteers willing to spend 30 to 45 minutes with those who have a short time left here on earth. One of the worst fears everyone experiences during this dying process is dying alone. You can make a difference.
CELEBRATE THE - Veterans - ALL GAVE SOME - SOME GAVE ALL
