Newton Elks providing support 
to state’s veterans during holidays

On Thanksgiving, the Newton Elks cooked and served Thanksgiving dinner for veterans and others at the United Churches homeless shelter in Des Moines.

Volunteers served a total of 12 turkeys, two large pans of stuffing, three large pans of green bean casserole, three large pans of mashed potatoes and gravy, 21 pumpkin pies, 12 containers of cool whip and dinner rolls.

The Elks also donated $1,000 to the Iowa Veterans Home to help ensure Christmas presents to the veterans and also sent 709 handwritten Christmas cards. The group also donated $150 to the Knoxville VA Hospital outpatient facility for coffee and cookies for the patients as well as 101 handwritten Christmas cards.

The solemn pledge of the Elks is “So long as there are veterans, the benevolent and protective Order of Elks will never forget them.”