 |
Lancaster Elks Lodge 1625 240 East Ave. K. Lancaster, California 93535 Click Here for Google Map Phone: (661) 948-1912 Lodge Office Hours: Monday & Tuesday. 9am - 3pm Thursday & Friday 9am - 3pm Closed Wednesdays Lodge Meeting: Tuesdays 7pm |
Veteran's Corner |
Hello Fellow Elk Members and Veterans, Veterans Corner Comments for May 2023: Hello Fellow Elks and Veterans, I want to apologize for not getting an article in the April Bulletin. Medical appointments for me have been coming fast and furious. Between dialysis 3 times a week for 4 hours each and my other medical appointments for my tracheostomy at the Keck Medical Center at USC, I feel I meet myself coming and going. Once a month, I try to go dancing at the Elks on Sunday nights. I consider this a date night with my wife. God continues to bless me though. The medical staff at USC are performing miracles. I may soon be able to get rid of my trach. My voice won’t be the same, but at least I will be able to breathe and speak without the aid of an artificial trach. As many of you know, I contracted COVID-19 and was hospitalized on March 27, 2020. I was in the first wave of people who contracted COVID. There was no cure for COVID at the time. People were dying right and left. So, essentially, I was a “Guinea Pig” for the medical staff at AV Medical Center and the VA Hospital in West Los Angeles. I didn’t realize how close to death I was because I was in a coma for 41 days. When I recovered consciousness, I did not know where I was. I had lost a tremendous amount of weight. From 290 pounds down to 172 pounds. I had no muscles, and I could not stand up. I could not breathe on my own without a tracheostomy. To say the least, I was in poor shape. With the help of God and my wonderful wife, Susan, I am still here. I can’t do everything I used to, but at least, I’m alive. I cannot stand for long periods of time without having to sit. I can’t dance as much as I used to, but I try because I know how much Susan loves to dance with me. I suffer dizzy spells and I have trouble with my balance. I appear to be gaining weight back to Susan’s chagrin. Now, she has put me on a diet. Through all of this, I will try to accomplish the duties that I’ve been assigned. I pray night and day for God to give Susan the strength to take care of me. Thank you for your patience. Antelope Valley Vet Center: 38925 Trade Center Drive, Suite J, Palmdale, CA 93551 Phone (661) 267-1026 Fax (661) 267-2045 See the Antelope Valley Vet Center for Readjustment Counseling; Post-Traumatic Stress Counseling; Sexual Trauma Counseling; Bereavement Counseling; Help for Women Veterans; Referrals for V.A. Benefits; and Employment Referrals. California Department of Veterans Affairs: (800) 952-5626, WWW.CALVET.CA.GOV See CAL-VET for Healthcare; Education; Housing; Employment Home Loan;s Veteran Homes; Compensation and Pension Claims and Other State Benefits. VETERANS TAKE CARE OF VETERANS. This article was taken from the February edition of the Grand Lodge Newsletter: Army of Hope eases life’s stresses for military members By Stewart G. Israel In February 2003, the Elks announced the Army of Hope program to assist military members, including active-duty military personnel, deployed units, military reservists, the Coast Guard, the National Guard, and their families. The Army of Hope allows the military member to safely concentrate on his or her duties without worrying about the family at home. It has many facets and can be easily adapted to the needs of local and state organizations, VFWs, churches, and scout groups to adopt units and families to help them through these trying times. The first step, like with many projects, in to gather some volunteers. After you have established your Army of Hope volunteers, contact local groups like Reserve and National Guard units, Blue Star Family groups, and other groups for military members. Ask what their biggest struggles are, and offer examples of things your Lodge can do to help. Military families may contact the Lodge or volunteers directly, depending on how you set up the program. Examples of aid assistance include: • School Lunches • Medical and dental emergencies not covered by insurance. • Auto repairs or transportation when needed • Minor home repairs (plumbing, electrical, painting, etc.) • Full-time to back-up babysitting • Lawn mowing, snow shoveling, landscaping, sprinkler repairs. • Clothing and shoes
Chairman of the Veteran's Committee's Message Hello to all Veterans of the Elk Family,
This following article was taken from the Grand Lodge December Newsletter. Emergency Assistance helps hundreds of veterans By NADEZH MULHOLLAND, Programs Assistant A father with a heart condition is anxious to move his family to a safe, smoke-free home. A man worries he will be evicted from his apartment while receiving inpatient mental health treatment. After learning that her abuser is scheduled to be released from prison, a mom moves her children out of state on short notice. If you’re wondering what these people have in common, the answer is simple. All three are veterans, and all three turned to the Elks in their time of need. The ENVSC’s Emergency Assistance Fund was created to help veterans prevent and exit homelessness. In 2015, in partnership with the VA, we pledge to help eradicate veteran homelessness. The Emergency Assistance Fund is one way we are making good on that promise. Last year, the Emergency Assistance Fund helped more than 400 veterans with essential housing expenses such as security deposited, rent, and utilities. For most of those veterans, Elk’s assistance was the only thing standing between them and homelessness. Many people, including veterans, are one emergency away from the threat of eviction: a job loss, illness, a death in the family. Working at the ENVSC, I have witnessed firsthand the pivotal role of timely financial support in shaping a veteran’s future. Even a seemingly small amount of money can help keep a veteran safely housed. Our Emergency Assistance Fund gives veterans the support they need and deserve to rebuild after homelessness or a financial emergency. The fund does something else, too: it shows veterans that they are not alone. “You have given me a renewed hope for humanity,” said a Miami veteran whom we assisted with rental arrears. “Sometimes it’s not easy to reach out for help. No one likes to be turned down. On behalf of all the veterans and service men and women you haven given so many reasons to look forward to the future, I am eternally grateful.” When a military member’s service to our country ends, we say they are “coming home.” But the truth is, far too many veterans have no place to call home. We dream of a future when that number is zero, but until then, we soldier on. VETERANS TAKE CARE OF VETERANS. VETERANS CRISIS HOT LINE: 1-800-273-8255 VETERAN CBOC LANCASTER: 661-729-8655 ANTELOPE VALLEY VET CENTER: 661-267-1026 Esteemed Lecturing Knight, Walter Sapp Chairman Veterans Committee Lancaster Elks Lodge #1625 Helpful Links for Veterans LIVE HEALTHY There are steps Veterans can take to help prevent heart disease, cancer, and other common diseases of aging. Get the recommended health screenings, eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and don’t smoke. Learn more about healthy living (http://www.prevention.va.gov) Numbers to use for additional information: Health Care: 877-222-8387 Benefits: 800-827-1000 TDD (Hearing Impaired): 800-829-4833 VETERANS CRISIS LINE: (https://www.veteransline.net/ ) 1-800-273-8255 (Press 1) Remember that Veterans take care of Veterans. Contact me if I can be of assistance. Walter Sapp Esteemed Lecturing Knight Chairman Veterans Committee How Elks Help Veterans The programs for the aid of our government, especially in times of war, have earned our Order the highest commendation from the Government. The destiny of our Order is tied directly to the destiny of our country and, therefore, our support of our Government and the advancement of Patriotism are of the utmost importance to us. Ours was the first organization to propose Flag Day and to get it adopted nationally. Our Order has pledged that "So Long As There Are Veterans, the Benevolent and Protective of Elks Will Never Forget Them." Our Order gave a hospital donated by members of the Elks that was given to our Government that became the first V.A. Hospital. We have carried out this pledge and spent thousands of dollars and hours aiding our veterans, hospitalized or otherwise. These are some of the worthwhile programs in which we are engaged, and we hope that after you are a Member, you will want to assist us in this work.  |
||||||||||
