Lodge Chairpersons:

Meetings are generally on the third Thursday of the month. Meetings begin at 8PM unless otherwise specified.

June, 2011 – No meeting scheduled
July 21^st, 2011 at Deptford Lodge #2708
August 18^th, 2011 at New Egypt #2457
September 15^th, 2011 at Edgewater Park #2550
October 20^th, 2011 at Bordentown #2085
November 17^th, 2011 – NO MEETING
December 15^th, 2011 – NO MEETING

January 19^th, 2012 at Edgewater Park #2550
February 16^th, 2012 at Bordentown #2085
March 15^th, 2012 at Edgewater Park #2550
April 19^th, 2012 at New Egypt #2457
May 17^th, 2012 at Bordentown #2085

Mission of Honor
Bordentown Lodge #2085 is asking all Lodges to help them in support of Mission of Honor. This organization is dedicated to locating unclaimed cremated remains of veterans in New Jersey and ensuring that these heroes obtain the dignified final tribute and burial they deserve. Click here for more details.

Past Events

The State Army of Hope Picnic was held on Sunday, September 11^th, 2012 at Lacey Lodge. Attendance from the District was light, though overall attendance at the event was record-setting. (Over 1500 tickets sold; approximately 900 guests at the event.)

If you know of any Elks Lodge Member or Member of their Family that is serving in the Armed Services overseas, please let me know so that their names can be included. Information needed includes, Rank, Name, Serving, Relationship to Member of the Elks, and or Name and number of their Lodge.

James A. Hall
Army of Hope Chairperson

The “Army of Hope” was implemented to provide support to the families of our military reservists and guardsmen who were called up for active duty during our country’s war on terrorism. Although originally conceived for reservists and guardsmen, there is nothing that would prevent Lodges from offering support to the families of servicemen and women serving regular military duty.

The first step is to contact the Members of your Lodge and see who is interested in supporting this program, their availability, and what skills they have to offer. Create a call list broken down by skills. The Lodge may have to evaluate funding resources for certain projects if the need should arise (i.e., gasket, paint, etc.).

The second step is for someone from your Lodge to make contact with your local reserve or guard units. Most of the time, this can be handled by a simple telephone call to the unit’s headquarters. You need to speak to someone in authority (usually the Public Affairs Officer) and explain to them who you are and what the program is about. You may also offer to join in with them on their own support group or even another organization. Not every Lodge will be able to offer all the support necessary, but you should try and do what you can.

Once contact is made with your reserve or guard unit, make sure your Lodge office staff of Lodge helpers know about the program and can forward questions to the correct individuals.

Information articles in your Lodge newsletter can help keep the “Army of Hope” Program in the forefront of your Lodge and community service activities. The “Army of Hope” also fits perfectly with our efforts in the Blue Star Program. What better way to recognize our servicemen and women than presenting a Blue Star Flag to their families?

As you work with the families of our service people, please report your activities to Mike Manning who is located at our Chicago office. Additionally, your activities should be recorded in the Lodge Annual Charity Records Booklet.

Fraternally,

Roger R. True, PGER, Member Elks National Veterans Service Commission

The National Veterans Service Commission has served the interests of America's veterans since World War I. Today the Commission operates a range of programs designed to improve the quality of life of our veterans as well as salute their service to the country.