Kellogg Elks, Osburn VFW team up

The Kellogg Elks Lodge #1841 recently partnered with the Osburn VFW Post #1675 to support local veterans. Thanks to a $2,500 Spotlight grant and a $2,000 Freedom grant awarded by the Elks National Foundation (ENF) Community Investments Program, the Elks were able to support our local veterans by using the funds to purchase basic essentials such as coats, gloves, hats, slippers, blankets, socks, gas and grocery gift cards and hygiene items for two Stand Down events this year. Saturday, October 23, 2021 was the second distribution event as a joint effort in conjunction with the monthly breakfast held at the VFW. Chris Marker, Commander of VFW #1675 in Osburn, was very helpful in identifying the specific needs of our local Veterans in order to target grant funding to those items that would be of the most benefit.

Carol Young, one of the organizers stated, “It was a heartwarming experience. There were a lot of smiles, happiness, and positive energy from all involved: Elks, VFW, and Veterans alike”.

The Spotlight ENF grant was obtained in order to provide funding for this Veteran driven project. Veterans.idaho.gov shows that as of September 30, 2021, we have 1,374 Veterans residing in Shoshone County. Elks pledge "So long as there are veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them." The Elks National Veterans Service Commission takes that pledge one step further, and promises service to our nation's veterans and military members, with a special focus on service to those in need. Thousands of Elks volunteers give generously of their time, energy and resources to serve veterans and military members each day, to ensure that pledge is not an idle one. The Freedom Grant is specifically earmarked for Veterans. The Kellogg Elks Lodge was pleased to be one of only 350 Lodges to be selected to receive the Freedom Grant this year.

Today, Elk volunteers provide direct service to veterans in more than 330 facilities each month. Through ENF grants to Elks Lodges, we connect with veterans and military members in their communities, providing them with services where they live.

Since the Community Investments Program began in 2005, the Elks have funded more than 27,000 grants to help Lodges build stronger communities. Elks use grants to combat food insecurity, support people experiencing homelessness, serve veterans and military members in need, and promote youth community service.

When the ENF program began in 2005 with a budget of $350,000, it was never imagined that budget would nearly quadruple in just over a decade. This year, the ENF will invest $13.7 million in the Community Investments Program to help Elks support building stronger communities.