Here is how we help our veterans
VETERANS COMMITTEE REPORT
By Robert Kielsa PER
We tried hard but just missed our goal of $200,000 for our veteran donations for our 2025/2026 Elk year. Your lodge contributed $135,886 in non cash contributions (used clothing, books, sporting goods and shoes). Our cash donations equaled $24,000 and Welcome Home Kits hit $36,289. Our total donations totaled $196,175 just short of our goal by $3,825. Our best year yet! A BIG thank you to our Veterans Committee and our Membership!
As I write this report we are one week away from our 4th Dart Tournament. We had 25 Items for our members to bid on this year. The total value of these donated items hit $8,000 this year! This is one of two fund raisers the Veterans Committee does each year and the committee is so very thankful for our membership’s generosity!
As we hit Spring our homeless veterans are in need of a number of things we can contribute that will help with their comfort and health. All canned like chili, soup, stew, tuna, chicken, spam, fruit cups, with pop up tops, are 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 to grocery stores and fast food are also very helpful. As far as clothing goes we need new Undershorts, 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!
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
