NEWS

The heart of the Augusta Elks #964 Veterans Committee lies in ensuring that veterans feel truly at home. Our committee has been extremely active in assembling and delivering thoughtfully assembled Welcome Home Kits, designed to help veterans settle comfortably into their new residences.
Our home kit project has seen growing success over the last year, largely due to strong partnerships with case managers from agencies dedicated to supporting formerly unhoused veterans as they transition into permanent housing. The veteran receives a Welcome Home kit filled with essential household items, transforming empty apartments into warm, inviting homes.

The kits include:
• Kitchen necessities: Plates, silverware, toasters, pots and pans, cutlery, utensils and more.
• Bathroom supplies: Towels, bath rugs, shower curtains, and trash cans.
• Bedding basics: Comforters, sheets, blankets, pillows and mattress protectors.

In addition to household kits, our committee operates a furniture program to further support veterans in outfitting their new homes. We currently maintain four trailers dedicated to the collection and distribution of donated furniture, including tables, chairs, recliners, nightstands, love seats, mattresses with box springs and more. These generous donations come from lodge members and the broader community, enacting our Elk pledge: “so long as there are veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them.”

During the 2025-26 Elk Year, our efforts have resulted in the distribution of 56 home kits—an average of five kits per month. Approximately half of the veterans who received these kits were also provided with furniture, ensuring they have not only the essentials but also the comfort and dignity of a fully furnished home.
If you are interested in donating any household items or gently used furniture to this wonderful initiative, please contact the Augusta Elks Lodge to schedule a drop off time.