The First Annual Elks’ Family Fun Day' to benefit Local Homeless Veterans, held on August 26 at Seeley’s Pond, saw area residents gather to enjoy an afternoon of food, fun and entertainment - - all benefiting a very worth cause.
This event was hosted by The Elks East Central District of NJ Veterans Committee, with financial sponsors including: Peapack Private Wealth Management, DBAT of Mountainside, Haven Savings Bank, Harquail Bros., Bourne, Noll, and Kenyon, and Thompson’s Sporting Goods from Summit. Hundreds of hours of preparation resulted in an elaborate menu of food, beverage, and activities with the event largely donated, so practically every contribution from sponsors, donors, and the gate will go directly to helping homeless veterans.
Food lovers enjoyed delicious pulled pork from Barth’s Market -New Providence, professionally grilled Hamburgers and Hot Dogs from Applebee’s-Union, Sandwiches from Towne Deli-Summit, Sausage & Peppers, Sides, Corn, and Fruit from the Elks. Scrumptious Desserts arrived from Baba’s Bakery-Madison, Natale’s-Summit and Bake-Summit.
Refreshing beverages included beer donated by Traprock-Berkeley Heights, Wine from Cambridge Wines-Summit & Vine Republic, and San-Gria as well as water and soft drinks.
Guests of all ages enjoyed an amazing lineup of donated entertainment that included: DJ Mr. Socks, A Professionally Managed Cornhole Tournament by Tom Boehm, a Dunk Tank from Paddy the Brush, Face Painting, Ranger Rick, a Magician from CTC Entertainment, Volleyball, Water Balloon Toss, Golf pitch, and other fun activities.
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Besides local families and residents, guests also included disabled veterans from the Menlo Park and Valley Brook veterans homes and senior Elks officials including New Jersey Elks State President Joe Pedone, Past State President George Miller, District Deputy of the East Central District - Dan Kretchmer, VP of E. Central District - Hank Bedlivy, and District Veterans Committee Chair - Kelly Mazzochi.
The event was organized by a committee of 25 members spearheaded by Rocco DiPiano and Apollo Hrehorovich of the Summit Elks. The Team included reps from the Summit Elks, Sue Stimpson and others from the Short Hills Ski Club (a partner in the event), Elks members from Cranford, Mountainside, Rahway, Springfield-Hillside and Stirling.
During the event, the Elks were notified that a veteran, who lost his job recently has been living in the Summit bus station...and by that evening, the Elks got him off the streets and into temporary accommodations - with permanent residence being worked on.
Just a week later, committee members helped move two homeless veterans into homes including a three time Purple Heart recipient with 27 years of distinguished service.
Throughout the State of New Jersey The Elks help veterans who are homeless in a variety of ways including:
- Furnishing their new home;
- Paying for hotel rooms and storage units while they await housing and
- Helping with food, clothes and other essentials.
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In the past year alone, New Jersey Elks have assisted more than 180 veterans in need.
If you did not get a chance to attend or contribute to the ‘Family Fun Day’ event and would like to help a veteran in need, please send a check payable to: ECD Veterans Committee. Mailing address: Attn: Doreen Duffy, Elks ECD Veterans Committee, 87 Harrison Ave., Colonia, NJ 07067. Thank You.
