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Elks support children of veterans

They’re donating supplies to get them to school
The Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks Lodge No. 507 is starting a new program providing backpacks stuffed with school supplies to the children of veterans. Applications are due July 31.

In keeping with its long history of philanthropy in the community, the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks Lodge 507 is instituting a program to make sure the children of veterans go to school well-equipped.

“There are quite a few programs to help vets,” said Dr. Luke Casias, “but we want to help their families.”

Casias’ day job is medical director for the Veterans Affairs Clinic. After noticing many veterans, who were living in poverty, wanted more for their families, he wrote a grant to the national Elks organization to create the Packed for Success Project. Students from kindergarten through 12th grade will receive backpacks filled with almost $70 worth of the school supplies appropriate for their grade according to Durango School District 9-R requirements. They will also get a $20 voucher to buy any supplies they need that aren’t in the backpack, thanks to a generous Elks member who wanted to contribute, Casias said.

“We included an itemized list of what’s in the backpacks, so they can compare them with 9-R’s list and make sure they get everything,” he said. “But they include all the basics, like pencils, erasers, tablets and so on.”

The backpacks are new this year, but the Elks have had a veterans outreach for years, he said.

“We’ve built ramps for veterans in wheelchairs, and recently helped one veteran with cash to get his things out of storage,” he said. “We work with other organizations that help veterans with their families and day-to-day lives. We want to make sure we’re screening applicants and not duplicating other organizations’ services.”

Kids who are selected to receive the backpacks will have a small homework assignment, writing a letter describing their school and future dreams and goals. It might be something as simple as “I want to be an astronaut” for young children or something more complex from a high school student. Families are allowed to help.

“We want to be helping for the future, not just finances,” Casias said.

abutler@durangoherald.com

To apply

Applications for the Packed for Success Project must be submitted by July 31. Call 247-2296 with the name of the family, school the student or students are attending and grade level along with a contact phone number. Veterans may also call Jessaca Cassady at the Veterans Affairs Clinic at 247-2214 to apply.

A member of the Veterans Committee will call to speak with the family.

Preference will be given to the cases of greatest need if the Elks receive more applications than they have backpacks.

The backpacks will be distributed at 9 a.m. Aug. 16 at the Elks’ bimonthly fundraising breakfast for its Veterans Committee activities. Kids who receive backpacks will eat free; the rest of the family can eat for a discounted $5 donation.



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