Breckenridge Texan

Members of the Breckenridge Elks Lodge No. 1480 presented the residents of Villa Haven Health and Rehabilitation Center with household items that were purchased with an Elks Gratitude Grant.

According to Elks member Wayne Justus, the Gratitude Grants are provided by the Elks National Foundation. He said the local group provides around $10,000 worth of grants each year, or about five grants a year, to support local groups and activities.

This is the first grant the group has given to Villa Haven. The Elks used the grant to purchase items for the residents of the facility, including some U.S. Veterans. With the funds from grant, the Elks purchased clocks for the residents’ rooms, hotel-quality towel sets, twin-size blankets and 300-piece puzzles.

Members of the local Elks Club pose with some of the residents of Villa Haven Health and Rehabilitation Center and display some of the items the group purchased for the residents with a Gratitude Grant. Pictured are, first row, from left, David Sullivan, Larry May and Donna Matloch; and back row, from left, Wayne Justus, Frank Chandler, Melynda Flournoy, President Lynda Justus, Jack Kimbler, Pat Speake, Paige Drake and Lena Stockton. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)Story by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan

Cutline, top photo: Members of the local Elks Lodge deliver boxes of household items the group purchased for residents of Villa Haven. The items were purchased with a Gratitude Grant from the Elks National Foundation. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)