Wow, we just surpassed 2022’s donation total of $143,944. Our present noncash donations are $143,058 and our cash donations are $8,758, bringing our total Veterans donations to date to $151,816. I’m happy to tell Monty. I also delivered 100 boxes of Girl Scout cookies to our Homeless Veterans. It felt great to do something like this for our Veterans and the Girl Scouts!

Because we need more revenue streams for our Veteran initiatives, we have established a group called “Crafty Critters” to create items needed for Veterans in the hospital, for Veterans at home, and for items to sell at the Lodge. We have also added items needed for The Steele Children’s Research Center. As of February, they have completed 25 pillowcases for the Spring Clothe-a-Child. Also, they are making walker bags for the Veterans. The group meets once per month in the Lodge room to work and have fun. Because of scheduling issues, we are skipping March and have planned our next working meeting for Saturday, April 15th, from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm. For more information on this initiative you can contact Teen Morgan on her cell at 520-237-5873.

When I reported the money the Veterans Committee had in two accounts at our last committee meeting, I heard the question, two accounts? So, quickly, one account is to cover our efforts to help all Veterans in need. The second account is the Karen Gialle Memorial which your PERA team established. This account is tailored to be used strictly for our Paralyzed Veterans group, which we sponsor each year for their annual games. So if you have a preference as to which group you would like to support, please place your donation in an envelope identifying where you wish your money to go.

With the weather fluctuating, as it does at this time of year, warm clothes are still needed. Our Homeless Veterans are constantly in need of undershorts, socks, jeans, and warm clothing. Please place any NEW items in the green barrel in the Lounge. All used clothing can be put in the POD in front of our building.

As always, a big thank you for all your support for our Veterans 

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.

Veterans are welcome! You know what’s in the heart of those who

have served our country and seen others give their lives in this

service. If you would like more information, or to sign up, please give

Lee Swengel, Intrepid House Chaplain a call at 682-777-5559.

My name is David Sides and I'm a member of the Outreach Department for The Pleural Mesothelioma Center.

Countless veterans are currently suffering from life-threatening illnesses that are a result of exposure to asbestos, a material that was commonly used in hundreds of military applications, products, and ships because of its resistance to fire. Veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma even qualify for special benefits from the U.S Department of Veteran Affairs.

We recently published an educational guide about pleural mesothelioma, the most common type of mesothelioma.

For More Information Click  Here