The Elks are committed to their mission, "So long as there are veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them."
Thousands of Elks volunteers give generously of their time, energy and resources to serve veterans and military members each day, to ensure that pledge is not an idle one.
Today, our volunteers provide direct service to veterans in more than 330 facilities each month. Through our grants to Elks Lodges, we connect with veterans and military members in their communities, providing them with services where they live. We help veterans rehabilitate and thrive through adaptive sports programs and therapy kits. And our Welcome Home initiative is reaching out to some of our most vulnerable veterans: those who are experiencing homelessness.
Allegheny Lodge participates and runs numerous programs throughout Allegheny County for the benefit of veterans in our communities. Volunteers from Allegheny Lodge conduct regular visits to the VA’s Southwestern Veterans’ Center and the Butler County VA Hospital to provide companionship, entertainment, supplies, snacks, holiday parties, and canteen books to residents of these VA facilities. The Lodge’s knitting circle also produces dozens of hand-made lap robes every year for wheelchair-bound residents, given to them during the winter holidays.
Allegheny Lodge produces “welcome home” packages for formerly-homeless veterans moving into new housing. These packages include household goods, cleaning supplies, linens, furniture, and other items necessary to make these veterans’ new homes a welcome and inviting one. The Lodge partners with the Veterans Leadership Council of Western PA in conducting an annual “Stand Down” event, where homeless and indigent veterans receive free medical assessments, dental care, interview training, interview and other clothing, haircuts, counseling, etc.