Freedom Grant announcement, Lodge success stories and more!
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The Elks' Turn to Serve
Elks National Veterans Service Commission
August Newsletter
Freedom Grant Record!
Drumroll please . . . . Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome your 2016-17 Freedom Grant recipients! More information, including a description of each of their projects, coming soon.
This year we received a record number of Freedom Grant applications, with 484 Lodges submitting applications. Thus, it was a very competitive year.
We encourage all Lodges that didn't receive Freedom Grants to consider using Gratitude or Beacon Grants to serve veterans and/or military members. Learn more and access the applications here.
Mental Health Matters
On July 7, the Department of Veterans Affairs released the results of a large-scale study of veteran suicide rates, showing that the risk of suicide is 21% greater for veterans than the general population.
Elks can help veterans exiting homelessness by building Welcome Home Kits full of basic home supplies. The ENVSC will even reimburse your Lodge up to $200 for each kit.
Want to learn about upcoming events for veterans in your community? Check out this list of upcoming Stand Downs and job fairs sponsored by VAs across the country.
This regularly updated list includes names, dates and organizers' contact information.
Free Supplies for Veterans!
Do you volunteer at a state veterans home, nursing home or independent veterans facility? Now, you can order craft kits to distribute to the veterans there.
These kits are provided by the Help Hospitalized Veterans organization free of charge to Elks volunteers. Choose from dozens of wood and leather options.
Please note that these kits cannot be distributed at VA facilities.
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, or State Newsletter Editor. You can unsubscribe using the link below at any time.
