Colonel Howard Veterans Home – March 2, 2024
Twenty-five Cahaba Valley Elk members, teens, and volunteers visited with the residents of the Colonel Howard Veterans home located in Pell City, AL. The smiling group visited with over 80 residents in the reception area and heard heroic stories of service to our nation. The highlight of the visit was serving a delicious BBQ lunch with all the trimmings and the favorite Banana Pudding.
Veterans Service Committee – January 2024
Cahaba Valley Elks Lodge #1738 of Pelham, Alabama, helps Veterans whenever a member sees a need or receives requests from local organizations. While on a lunch break Leading Knight Shannon Hubbard happened to observe a man struggling to walk home with a few groceries. Hubbard offered to assist him and learned that he was a Vietnam Veteran who was doing his best to live independently. Using member donations Hubbard was able to provide Veteran Phillip Browning with needed groceries along with personal care items, a warm coat, a $20 Target gift card, and replaced his worn US Flag that he proudly flies from his balcony. Chaplin Mary Ann McKim also did grocery shopping for Birmingham, Alabama’s 3 Hots and a Cot. Using generous donations from members, $400 in groceries and personal care items were delivered to 30 residents of this Veteran facility.
LEFT PHOTO: Left to Right: Member Norma Rogers, Executive Director Jay Gibbs, Assistant David Reece, Zion Reece, Harrison Gibbs, Secretary Leon Johnston, and CEO Rich Cislak.
RIGHT PHOTO: Veteran Phillip Browning and Leading Knight Shannon Hubbard
MEMORIAL DAY – CVEL members post flags on the graves of veterans at the Pelham City Cemetery and the Alabama National Cemetery to honor those who bravely served our country. (May 2023)
CVEL members served a delicious southern BBQ lunch to 240 residents of the Colonel Howard Veterans Home in Pell City, AL. Members also distributed much needed personal items, craft projects, jigsaw puzzles, and a variety of ballcaps. Participants also took time to visit and share memories with the Veterans that lingered after lunch. Lodge contributions and Freedom Grant Funds made this special experience for members and residents possible. (March 2023)
November is Veterans Remembrance Month and CVEL was busy serving its Veteran Programs. Members spent time with members of the Support Our Soldiers of Alabama packing bags for troops stationed in Europe and the Middle East. Other November programs included delivering much needed food items to Birmingham’s 3 Hots and a Cot. Also in November members placed flags at Veteran graves in the Pelham City Cemetery and the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo. (November 2022)
Using Freedom Grant Funds and member contributions, CVEL members visited the Col Howard Veterans’ Home located in Pell City, AL, to present Activities Director Shauna Carleton with a check for $1200. The funds will be used to provide additional social activities and special needs for the residents.
Shown in the picture is left to right back row: Member Norma Rogers, Secretary Leon Johnston, Treasurer Bob Shinpaugh; left to right front row: ER Liz Bishop, Facility Activities Director Shauna Carleton, Leading Knight Sharon Gaydon. (May 2022)