Veterans Programs

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ASEA VETERANS COMMITTEE

VAVS; The Veterans Administration Voluntary Service program is administered, and oversight is through the Veterans committee. The State veterans chair is the Elks National Veterans Service representative for the state. Funding is provided by Elks National Foundation through the ENVS. Funding varies between each clinic/center. Each Clinic and Vet Center in Alaska has at least one VAVS representative and most have two. The funding amounts, representatives and their deputies are as follows:

Hospital/Clinic

VAVS Representative

Deputy Representative

Anchorage
($190)

Laura Sherman

Joel Hembach

Fairbanks
($125)

Stephani Hillen

Fisher House
($250)

Joel Hembach

Laura Sherman

Juneau
($125)

Joanne Zaruba

Steve Hinkle

Kenai
($125)

Michael Meredith

Paul Whitney

Wasilla
($125)

Kathi Johns

WOUNDED VETERAN PROGRAM

The Wounded Veteran Program has 2 distinct programs. The first is a recreational therapy program which provides travel for wounded veterans in Alaska to Lodges who would like to host them. Lodges provide lodging, food and activities while these veterans are at their lodge. Fishing, sightseeing, helicopter tours and snow machine trips are just a few of the activities provided. If a lodge is interested in hosting these veterans, contact PSP Jan Jonker to arrange travel. There is a form for the lodge to fill out that Jan can provide. It’s a very rewarding experience for not only the veterans but for the lodges as well.

The second is our service dog program. We provide funding to pay for training for service dogs for worthy vets. The recommendation comes from either the VA or the PTSD/TBI clinic on JBER. Once recommended the veteran is vetted by our trainer. We fund for 3 dogs in training at a time. We currently have 3 dogs in the training program. We have provided training for 7 dogs and their veteran to date.

TAKE A VET FISHING

Every September in partnership with the Kenai River Guide Association we fund a Kenai River fishing trip for Alaska Veterans. Kenai Lodge #2425 provides breakfast the morning of the trip and is capped off with lunch by Soldotna Lodge #2706. The ASEA provides a jacket or vest to each fisherman.

These volunteers give their time and energy each month to serve our veterans. The monthly allocation we provide them with allows them the funds they need to plan social activities, buy needed supplies, hold recreational outings, host meals and offer their time and talents to our veterans. VA and Facility staff have come to learn that when they need help, they can and do count on the Elks.

WVP SERVICE DOGS

The ASEA spend around $10,000 per dog to be training and given to a deserving wounded veteran. It takes about 9 months to train a puppy.