Veterans
At the Elks, we love and honor our service members.
Programs & Events
Anyone who has been hospitalized for a length of time will understand the loneliness and depression that may be experienced by veterans who either live in a facility or are confined to their homes.
Since 1917 during World War I, the Elks have stepped forward during every conflict or war our Nation has been engaged in and led the way by providing support, compassion and a wide variety of assistance for our troops and their families across many of the states and communities that our Lodges serve.
Our Lodge carries on a proud tradition of caring for our country’s veterans. Our Veterans Committee visits the Palo Alto Veterans Hospital and organizes activities for these fine men and women. During the Holiday Season, Santa visits the Vets and in the summer months funds are raised to host several BBQs to bring Veterans poolside for an evening of grilling and spending time with friends. It’s our way of giving back to those who have dedicated themselves to serving our country.
The pledge of the Elks Veterans Service Committee is: So long as there are veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will be there to lend support and ensure these brave men and women will not be forgotten.
The Elks National Veterans Service Commission has become a collecting partner of the Library of Congress Veterans History Project, which collects and preserves the extraordinary wartime stories of ordinary people. Learn how you can participate by collecting interviews with veterans from your lodge and your community.
Operation Care & Comfort
Shopping List
The following Care and Comfort items are needed on a continuing basis for care packages for our deployed U.S. Forces. Donations can be brought to the lodge from October 27th - November 22nd, 2025
General
Gallon, quart, sandwich, and snack sized Ziploc Bags (to make care packages), hand written cards and letters of encouragement for our troops
Snacks, Foods, and Treats
Individually wrapped hard candy (Twizzlers, Tootsie Pops, Skittles, lollipops, Life Savers, Sweet Tarts, etc), chewing and bubble gum, mints, breath strips (no homemade items, please. Chocolate is accepted October - March.)
Small packages of nuts, seeds, pretzels, cookies, chips (Pringle type containers best), crackers, Corn Nuts, fruit snacks and fruit leather, squeezable apple sauce Trail Mix, energy, protein, breakfast and granola bars, instant oatmeal, Kraft Easy Mac, Cup a Noodles/noodle bowls, pop tarts, small cereal boxes (one serving)
Powdered, sweetened drink mixes (Gatorade, Crystal Light, Kool-Aid), ground or instant coffee, tea bags, hot chocolate, cider mix, stevia, sugar, sweetener, Coffee Mate, and condiment packets, instant soup (Lipton, Miso soup, etc.) Canned meats (NO PORK!), stews, chili, ravioli and spaghetti, soups, pop-top fruit, beef jerky, non-refrigerated microwavable meals
Personal, Hygiene and Toiletries
NO SCENTED BAR SOAP, PLEASE. Hotel/travel sized gel deodorant, shampoo, lotion, bath gel, toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss and lip balm, Small Kleenex Packets, Q-Tips (Large packages are fine), anti-Fungal Creams, Band Aids, medicated foot powder, sunscreen, cotton calf length socks
For Females: Hair bands, clips, bobby pins, tampons, maxi and mini pads, oil free face cleaner, makeup remover, nail kits (no nail polish or remover), mascara and makeup, Eye drops, nose drops, unscented baby wipes or body wipes, sanitized wipes, good quality razors and blades, shaving gel and powder (NO AEROSOL CANS)
Entertainment and Leisure
Pens, pencils, blank greeting cards and stationary, stickers, yo-yo's, adult color and puzzle books, colored pencils and sharpeners, playing cards, dice, hand held games and puzzles, funny papers and crossword page from newspapers
Seasonal
Hand and foot warmers, gloves, sun glasses, neck coolers
