How can an average citizen support local veterans? Find out in this email! Is this your first time time receiving this email? It's probably because your are a new Lodge Veterans Chair. Welcome! We look forward to a productive year together. You are receiving this email because you are listed as a State or Lodge Veterans Chair, State newsletter editor, or because you signed up. You may unsubscribe at any time.

The Elks' Turn to Serve

Elks National Veterans Service Commission April Newsletter

The Power of Community

For many, Elks are synonymous with community. Service to the community is one of the pillars of Elkdom, as is brotherly love. But how can these two principles serve veterans? Recent research shows that a strong social network can be a protective factor against PTSD and help veterans with readjustment after service. Visit the ENVSC blog to read one Vietnam veteran's struggle to readjust, and how the Adopt-a-Veteran program can help veterans of all ages.

Freedom Grant in Action! Many veterans in assisted living facilities don’t have the chance to get out as much as they’d like, but the Elks at Calabash Lodge No. 2679 in North Carolina are using the Freedom Grant to host an annual “Vet Day at the Lodge,” bringing senior veterans together for a day full of activity and friendship. This year, the special day took place on April 21st, and it was a record breaking event! Read more about it here, and start planning your Lodge's Freedom Grant activity for next year. Applications go online July 1.

Leadership in Service The Elks National Foundation welcomed 20 new Elks Scholars into town last weekend for interviews and leadership training. Part of the weekend included a service activity at the Jesse Brown VA Hospital in Chicago. Before the event, staff shared shared advice on how to interact with veterans, and together we all packed care packages for distribution. At the hospital, Scholars helped to host military trivia, and visited with patients who were unable to leave their rooms. It was an excellent way to teach Scholars about the Elks long-standing commitment to veterans. Read more about the Scholar weekend here.

Stay Informed  Military Outreach USA is an organization dedicated to serving those who have served in our nation's military. Military Outreach USA is a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization. They work with churches and community organizations across the country to carry out their mission. They recently launched a program very similar to the Elks Welcome Home Program, and are looking forward to working with Elks to achieve the goal of ending veteran homelessness. Read more about the organization here.

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Questions? Contact us at 773-755-4736 or Vets@elks.org. You are receiving this email because you are listed as a State or Lodge Veterans Chair, State newsletter editor, or because you signed up. You can unsubscribe using the link below at any time.