It was an unusually warm November day last year when the Ticonderoga Elks set out for the Lodge to prepare dinner. As the Cub and Boy Scout troops trickled in, the members knew today wasn’t going to be just another fish fry or spaghetti dinner. It was Veteran’s Day, and the entire community was coming together to honor the local veterans in their area for the third straight year.
As the Eagle Scouts tended to the kitchen, the younger Scouts waited tables in the packed Lodge hall. For the past three years, the Ticonderoga Lodge had placed an ad in the local newspaper, inviting the public and all veterans to join them for a turkey feast and celebration.
The dinner this year was no different, and with the help of a Gratitude Grant, they brought in close to 200 veterans, their families and community members. Veterans from several decades and wars were in attendance. The Lodge even offered a pick-up service for those unable to reach the Lodge on their own.
“We drove to nursing homes and picked up a few veterans,” says PER and New York State Secretary Dave Carr. “We made it a priority to reach out to everyone who wanted to attend.”
Harvesting Friendships Although many of the veterans at the event had at least 50 years on the young Scouts serving them dinner, they couldn’t have meshed any better. The Scouts took pictures with the veterans and listened to stories from a time long before any of them were born.
“I’ve never seen so many smiles in one room,” recalls Carr. “They really got along, and the veterans were proud to meet such stand-up young men.”
The dinner sparked an unexpected friendship between the Scouts and veterans. The Scouts who volunteered at the dinner were even invited to take part in the community’s Flag Day service this past June. They learned how to properly fold a flag, and what each fold represented. On the day of the ceremony, the scouts folded flags while veterans spoke to the crowd. It was a moment that the community, and especially the Elks that helped bring the two groups together, will always remember.
Gobble Up and Give As with any Thanksgiving-style meal, the guests ate and enjoyed each other’s company until they could barely budge. After the full turkey dinner, complete with stuffing, mashed potatoes and all the fixings, the night concluded with community members having the opportunity to donate to their local VA medical center.
The Ticonderoga Lodge raised more than $700 to benefit the Albany, N.Y., hospital, and they attribute much of that success to the Community Investments Program. Their $300 Gratitude Grant went toward the purchase of food and other essential items for the dinner, which allowed the Lodge to accommodate for a much larger group.
“We’re the only organization in town to put on a Veteran’s Day dinner,” explains Carr. “We were able to hold an event of a much grander proportion for the community, and really come together to recognize those who fought for our country.”
The Ticonderoga Elks don’t know if the weather this November 11 will be abnormally warm again, but one thing is for sure. With the Gratitude Grant reimbursement increasing to $400 this year, they can continue providing a great day for veterans in their community. And that’s certainly something to be thankful for.
The Elks National Foundation allocated $900,000 to fund the Community Investments Program during the 2007-08 year. To learn more about the CIP and how your Lodge can receive a grant, visit www.elks.org/enf/community.