Wow, our year end donation report shows our Non Cash donations to date are $150,294 and our Cash

donations have hit an all time high of $32,897 bringing our total Veteran donations to $183,191. Our 39 Welcome Home Kits totaled $14,812 t his year!

Dart Tournament to Sponsor Local Veterans on April 12th!!!! EVERYONE WELCOME. We are having our 3 rd Annual dart tournament on April 12th! You don’t play darts? No problem – come join us for a potluck starting around 12pm that day. Bring a dish to pass and have fun with our raffles and silent auctions. Sign up sheet for potluck is on the bulletin board in the lodge. We have over 30 raffle prizes that have been donated by local vendors and Elk Members for this event. We have the raffle prizes and

silent auction items set up in the lodge room and you can get tickets from any member of the dart committee. All proceeds will go to our local Veterans and Paralyzed Veterans. Remember, Freedom isn’t free, we are free because of our veterans!

One way this committee has had success in raising funds for our veterans is through raffling off guns. A number of members have donated shotguns, rifles and pistols to the committee to help in our fund raising. We have not had any such donations in quite awhile. I would like to ask if any of our members or

your friends have guns, they no longer use or need, if you’re willing to donate them to the committee? It is protocol for the committee to pay for the legal transfer of all guns we raffle off. If you have a desire to donate please give me a call at 651-262-9508 I would be happy to answer any questions.

As usual, you can help our homeless veterans by contributing new Undershorts and T-shirts (Med, Lg, XL), Jeans ( W 33, 34, 36) Sweatshirts and warm Socks. Please place any NEW items in the green

barrel in the lounge and USED items in the Pod in the front of the lodge. As always, a big thank you for your continued support for our veterans!

Bob

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.

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