Local Elks Lodge filled both plates and hearts this holiday season

The New York State Elks Lodge No. 1, servicing veterans from Malverne, West Hempstead, Lakeview, Lynbrook and beyond, got into the true holiday spirit last week.

Firstly, the Lodge delivered a gift bag for each and every veteran at St. Albans Veterans’ Affairs center. The local lodge was joined by lodges No. 878 and 2107. These veterans groups joined under South District Chairman John Nuzzi, and other members like Lois Anderson, Ron Hansen, Richard Muniak, Kathy Lang and Robert Giglio to make personal presentations to the people who gave the greatest gift of all — service and sacrifice.

On top of that, the Lodge provided hunger relief for 20 families in the Malverne, Lynbrook and surrounding areas area for the holiday season. The families, associated with Our Lady of Peace Food Bank, came to the lodge Dec. 20 and received giant laundry baskets filled with food including ham, bacon, butter, chocolate, pancake mix and many other items to make for a wonderful Christmas weekend. Lodge members generously donated group toys, which were also given to each family who came to collect their bounty!

This donation was made possible through the lodge receiving a Spotlight Grant from the Elks National Foundation. Elks Lodges throughout the country can qualify for these grants, which are designed to help Elks give back to their communities. This grant is $2,000. The lodge personally paid for the water bottles that were included with the care packages. The laundry baskets were donated by former District Deputy John Nuzzi and his wife Pat. More than 60 games were donated by Lodge members.