On Jan. 25, Cocoa Beach Elks Lodge #2387 reached a milestone of providing a total of 607 Welcome Home Kits, valued at $163,364 worth of supplies for veterans who are homeless and transitioning to permanent housing. The lodge is ranked second in the nation for the number of veterans served with these kits. Each month, lodge volunteers shop with veterans, who are humbled and thankful to have assistance getting their homes started. The lodge coordinates with Volunteers of America in Cocoa, Housing for Homeless in Rockledge, Support Services for Veterans Families in Cocoa and Dollar General Store Manager John Swartout in Cocoa Beach. The Welcome Home Kit program is funded by the Elks National Veterans Service Commission.
Pictured are a thankful veteran and member Linda Ireland; member and Army veteran Dan Burger with a veteran; and a veteran with his family after shopping for their Welcome Home Kits.