National Veterans Service Commission
Welcome!
Welcome to the Elks National Veterans Service Commission's Online Resource Center. Several of our Grand Exalted Rulers have stated that in their travels, they found those associated with the National Veterans Service program to be the most dedicated of the dedicated. Furthermore, many Chiefs of Voluntary Service at VA Medical Centers have told us, “Whenever we want something, we can count on the Elks.”
In each of the 172 VA Medical Centers there is an Elk committee at work. Literally, thousands of Elks and their families give generously of their time, energy and resources so that the lives of our ill and aging veterans will be enhanced. Hundreds of thousands of hours and like numbers of dollars are devoted to programs that are designed to keep us true to our pledge: ”So long as there are veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them.“ And now we've broadened our program to include outpatients and veterans who are homeless.
The purpose of this online resource center is not only to inform the public and our own members of our good works, but also to help our Veterans Service chairmen and committee members live up to our pledge. We've tried to answer the questions most often asked and to spell out the responsibilities of chairmen on all levels. We've also included suggestions to strengthen your program.
Our goal is to make the Elks the most visible force in voluntary service to our veterans. Hopefully this resource center will be useful in that quest.
News from the Front
- Valentines for Veterans Concerts
Help Hospitalized Veterans is sponsoring eleven free Valentines Day concerts for veterans and their families in cities throughout the US.
Performers include The Temptations, Aaron Tippin, Lee Greenwood, Little Anthony and the Imperials, and the Chi-Lites.
Click here for Concert schedule and ticket information
In addition to many other programs, Help Hospitalized Veterans collaborates with the Elks National Leather Program to produce and distribute 35,000 craft kits for hospitalized veterans every year, at no cost to the Elks or veterans themselves.
- GL Newsletter, March 2010 Veterans Message: Think of veterans in Setting Budget
- The Lodge Officers for the 2009-2010 Fraternal year have been elected. Now is the time for the incoming Exalted Ruler and Lodge Veterans Chairperson to plan together to fund activities for the Lodge's Veterans programs for the upcoming year.
- "A Million Reasons to Volunteer"
- The Department of Veterans Affairs Voluntary Services created a video describing the benefits of veteran volunteer service. This 12-minute video is highly recommended viewing. Click here to watch.
- LA. Elks donation to War Veterans Home
The Louisiana Elks Association sponsored a Christmas Party and donated $1000 in new furniture to the Jennings Louisiana War Veterans Home for their 154 veteran residents. Pictured with some of the new furniture are PSP/Vets Rep. Brice Palmer, PSP/Vets Rep. Franklin Courville and WWII Navy veteran and resident Henry Stanley.
Click the picture for a larger version.
- GL Newsletter, February, 2010 Veterans Message: Become part of Hide Program
- In 1948, the Elks of California donated 25,000 hides to our Order for the benefit of Veterans. This was the beginning of the Elks National Veterans Leather Program. Today, Elks in twenty one states participate in this program. Last year, over 16,000 hides were collected, prepared, and shipped to tanneries for processing. The finished hides become craft kits, fingerless gloves for wheelchair bound Veterans, or craft leather for Veterans’ hospital therapy and recreational programs.
