Over the years, Vancouver Elks Lodge 823 has been a proud, contributing member of our community. We’ve sponsored Scouts, sports teams, scholarships and helped to feed those less fortunate. Thanks to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and through the Elks National Veterans Service Commission, we’ve also assisted our less-able veterans in mostly the Clark County community. Sadly, because of this dreaded virus, these efforts have ceased.
Our lodge year begins the first of April and since then, combining the bingo games at the VA’s Fort Vancouver Community Living Center, donations to various establishments also on the campus and veterans events at the lodge, we’ve made a difference. The Welcome Home Kit provides household items, bedding and bath products, cleaning supplies and personal hygiene essentials. Since April, the lodge has donated 134 of these kits at a cost of over $35,000. March 19 was the last kit provided until the situation changes.
It is sad to see this happen, especially when we were prepared to present another kit to a veteran in Portland who has just moved into her first permanent home. The lodge will get her taken care of eventually, but not as easily for her and her kids.
We will be back, we will be back.
