The Kennebec Journal’s coverage of the 15th annual Maine Homeless Veterans Stand Down at Togus on Oct. 20 was informative and inspiring.

The article made apparent that various agencies and many individuals came together to support and strengthen a population that surely have earned that support and assistance.

Much of the success of the Stand Down was the result of the incredible efforts of volunteers.

Among those volunteers, the Augusta Elks Lodge 964 merits particular recognition. The Stand Down Committee of the Augusta Elks solicited monetary and food donations from other Maine Elks lodges, local businesses and members of the Augusta Elks.

From those donations, the Elks provided, prepared, transported and served hot meals to more than 90 homeless veterans and 200 volunteers.

An additional grant that the Elks secured allowed them to send along a “bag lunch” with each veteran as they left the Stand Down.

In recognition of the heartfelt and hard work efforts of the Augusta Elks Lodge and many other volunteers I, for one, sound my applause.

Kathleen Crilly

Augusta


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