Mt. Vernon Elks Lodge in November hosted a steak dinner for the veterans in honor of the Elks’ Veterans Appreciation Month. All veterans and Elk members were invited to be recognized for their service. The dinner raised funds for Mt. Vernon Elks to visit the two veterans homes in southern Illinois once a month to entertain veterans with games, prizes and often meals or snacks.
This includes annual visits by Mr. and Mrs Claus and the Easter Bunny. Veterans at Veterans Administration centers in Marion and Anna arrived for a night out with dinners purchased by members and outside interests. Attendance for the Elks Veterans Appreciation Month steak night was well attended, and a portion of the proceeds was donated to the lodge Adopt-A-Vet fund.