Middletown Elks service projects abounded in 2020

A favorite tagline for the Middletown Elks Lodge is “Elks Care, Elks Share.” What more fitting time is there during COVID than to invest in local charities to help lessen the burden on these organizations?

In 2020, the Middletown Elks, through their Community Investment Program, contributed approximately $13,000. Some of the local charities are:

Eddy Homeless Shelter: The Elks Lodge recently provided via their Beacon Grant, health/hygiene supplies and equipment to their clients, and items often overlooked by others. Elks hope to be able to supply about 100 kits, including food, blankets, ponchos, toiletries and first aid products to keep up hope for a better life.

St. Vincent De Paul Amazing Grace Food Pantry: The lodge provided food donations and money to purchase food as well as provide some youth activities during the pandemic.

Middletown Veterans Helping Heroes Project: The lodge provided assistance to support veterans with PTSD, and to address areas of potential suicide. This opportunity provided special service dogs to veterans via a nonprofit organization, Forever in My Heart Foundation, a group of passionate women with the vision of giving shelter animals a second chance at life by training them to improve the lives of disabled veterans.

Kayaking for Veterans with PTSD: This project was started in 2020 as a means of utilizing an approved treatment for PTSD. Veterans were introduced to kayaking as a means of physiotherapy, occupational therapy and mental therapy rolled into one at Lake Besek in Middlefield.

Middletown Police Thanksgiving Dinners: The lodge, in concert with police, provided Thanksgiving dinners to the poor and homeless.

Adopt A Family: Annually, with the South Fire District Fire Department, the Elks have provided Christmas meals and toys for needy families. This year, members assisted in a toy collection.

Nationally, the Order of Elks spends more than $80,000,000 every year for benevolent, educational and patriotic community-minded programs.

Daniel Miramant, Middletown Elks Lodge 771 trustee/past exalted ruler