Elks Lodge donates kits, money to VA hospital

Sumter Elks Lodge 855 saw great support from the community for its veterans turkey shoot, said Steve Guest, veterans chairman.

Because of the overwhelming support, it was able to provide $2,700 in comfort kits for new patients at the Veterans Affairs hospital. The Elks Lodge also donated $800 toward the patient’s emergency relief fund and sponsored two bingo games for nursing home patients at the VA hospital, awarding $200 in canteen coupons.

Guest said material was purchased to make pillows and lap blankets for hospital patients and scarves for children in Afghanistan. Wool was purchased to knit helmet liners and neck protectors for our troops, he added.

Sumter Elks Lodge 855 also replaced two digital bugles for the Shaw Air Force Base Honor Guards, to be used for playing taps at the funerals of veterans, among its many other charitable acts.