First Lady’s Fundraiser

Honor Flight Flier

 I am truly honored to represent the Maine Elks Association as your First Lady for 2026-2027.
Kip and I will be sharing our pins as we travel the great state of Maine and beyond over the next year.
My PIN is a feather, with a garnet stone added for the month January as Kip and I both share birthdays during this month.
Why a feather?  “Bird” is a nickname I inherited during childhood and has stuck with me through the years, my immediate family still reference me as such today. But above all, I selected the feather for what it symbolizes Freedom, and Flight which together represent my charity “Honor Flight Maine”.

My charity was selected in memory of two of my grandfathers, both of which had a significant impact on my life. My great-grandfather, Daniel Beal Pratt, served in the U.S. Army as an Engineer during WWI. My grandfather, Walter Leo Demers, also served in the U.S. Army as a Medic during WWII.
Honor Flight Maine was established in April of 2014 and is part of the National Honor Flight Network. It is dedicated to honoring veterans by giving them the opportunity to visit memorials in Washington D.C. at no cost. The organization is entirely volunteer-based and funded through donations and grants with the average cost per veteran trip at approximately $1,000, which does not include the $500 fee for a caregiver to accompany the veteran.
All Maine Veterans with service from December 7,1941 to May 8,1975 are eligible to travel with HFM regardless if they saw combat or not. Priority is given to the most elderly veterans and those with terminal illnesses.
As a hospice nurse, I have personally witnessed the profound healing & closure this trip can provide to a veteran.
When Stephen & Jo Spielvogel from the Farmington Lodge (Stephen an Army Veteran himself and Jo an Army Civilian of 30+ years) learned of my charity, they graciously donated a 3-night stay at their Air BnB, known as “Terrapin Station” located on Porter Lake in Strong, ME to support my fundraising efforts.

A private camp with direct access to the water (dock)
Open all year-you pick the season (boating, ATV, Snowmobile)
Kitchen & living spaces with modern conveniences including satellite TV and Wi-Fi
Sleeping areas include two queen beds, one full, and five twins.

I will be selling raffle tickets throughout the year for $10 each. The winner will be drawn at the State Convention next year and the winner will have one year from the drawing to book during their season of choice.

Additionally, I have received several offers for items to help support my fundraising efforts, these items will be incorporated into our Homecoming event-so stay tuned.

This may just be “the year of the veterans”, as we owe them a deep debt of gratitude!

Donna M Clark  – First Lady