Vestal Elks helping soldiers overseas

The Vestal Elks Lodge #2508 Veterans Committee has been quietly helping local soldiers for over ten and a half years by sending monthly care packages overseas. Each individual soldier receives a 25-27 pound box filled with goodies such as jerky; slim jims; powdered drinks; granola bars; canned tuna and chicken; snack sized cookies, crackers, chips and pretzels; Ramen Noodles; trail mix; candy; baby wipes; and iTune cards. Each box costs an average of $40 to ship.

Recently, the committee shipped four boxes to soldiers in Afghanistan, Iraq, Israel and Korea filled with the usual goodies plus some extra special Christmas treats like pepperoni sticks, cheese and meat boxes, candy canes, a box of Christmas cards, a homemade Christmas card signed by each committee member, and a hand written letter from a local elementary child.

The committee consists of 12 members. They are Chuck Yoko, Donna Yoko, Richard Fowler, Jean Fowler, Duane Horton, Petie Horton, Bob Liberty, Gail Liberty, Ernie Miscione, Barb Miscione, Chris Pullano, and Don Lippincott.

Along with sending out monthly goodie boxes, the committee also puts on a yearly Veterans Day dinner at the Vestal Elks Lodge #2508 to honor the local veterans; hosts an ice cream social at the Oxford Veterans Home; and hosts a Christmas party at the Oxford Veterans Home that includes giving each resident in the Pine Lodge wing a gift.
Each returning soldier and their family are always invited to the Vestal Lodge and given dinner to honor their service and safe return home.

When asked why they do all that they do for the veterans and soldiers, one of the members stated, “I know what it’s like to be away from home fighting for our country because I served in the military many years ago. I remember the feeling of homesickness and loneliness. I want to try to help the soldiers.”

To date, the committee has sent a total of 873 boxes in ten and a half years, with 51 of them in 2018 so far. About 179 individual soldiers have received these goodie boxes in various countries throughout the world including Iran, Germany, and the Middle East.

A mind-boggling 23,571pounds of treats have been sent overseas so far! An average of 15 soldiers help the recipient share the box, which means that over 13,095 soldiers have enjoyed these treats.

The Vestal Elks Veterans Committee members put their heart and soul into everything they do for soldiers and veterans. They are a dedicated group who work hard to put a smile on a veterans face.
One of the members best summed it up by stating, “A little kindness goes a long way. This is a great way to show and give love.”

The Vestal Elks Veterans Committee are always happy to accept the following items to send in the care packages: jerky, slim jims, powdered drinks, snack sized snacks, canned tuna and chicken, chapstick and baby wipes.

Monetary donations are also appreciated to help pay the rising cost of shipping these packages to the grateful soldiers overseas. The Vestal Elks Lodge #2508 is located at: 2071 Vestal Parkway West, Vestal, N.Y. 13850.