By The Port Huron Elks Lodge 343
Port Huron Lodge 343 assisting Veterans in need. Local Veteran resident Michael A. Forbes, Jr., a US Marine recently transitioned from lack of stable, safe, and adequate housing to moving into an apartment with the help of Friends, Lodge 343, and the Veterans Administration. Mike’s best friend, Paul Dombrowski, a Marine Veteran himself, contacted Lodge 343 Veterans Committee Chair Scott R. Harris, DDGER & ENVSC Rep asking if we could help. Scott mentioned that the Elks National Veterans Service Commission has a program available to assist Veterans in need, and we could help Mike get back on his feet. On Friday, February 27th we were able to provide Mike with a “Welcome Home” kit consisting of pillows, bedding, blankets, dishes, pots, pans, kitchenware, towels, toiletries, toilet paper, paper towels, dish soap, all-purpose cleaner, broom, and a few small appliances. After loading Paul’s vehicle with all the products, we let Mike know, today starts a new beginning and that he is loved and respected.
The ENVSC offers comprehensive support programs, focusing on ending Veteran homelessness through the Grand Lodge Emergency Assistance Fund by providing welcome Home Kits for household essentials. ENVSC provides nationwide support for Veterans’ rehabilitation, including leather therapy craft kits and other programs. Welcome Home Kits, supply essential household items to Veterans transitioning from homelessness into permanent housing. Applications the Grand Lodge must be submitted through an ENVSC VAVS representative. The Grand Lodge ENVSC program will reimburse up to $400.00 per welcome home kit and up to $600.00 for a kit which includes a bed. If you know a local Veteran in need, please reach out to Lodge 343 Veterans Chair, Scott R. Harris for assistance. The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks pledge to Veterans is: “So long as they’re Veterans the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them”
An early reminder: Please mark your calendars for our 4th Annual Veterans Appreciation Day & free Luncheon to be held at Port Huron Elks Lodge 343 for Veterans & Spouses is scheduled for Wednesday, May 20, 2026, from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm. This event will have over 20 plus services available to assist our Veterans and is hosted by the Port Huron Elks Lodge 343 Veterans Committee and the Elks National Veterans Service Commission.
Recent Events: Lodge 343 and ENVSC hosted our bi-monthly free “Coffee & Donut Day” in the Veterans Wellness room on Wednesday, April 15th, with over 40 Veterans attending. The next event will be held on Wednesday, June 10th. These events are sponsored by Port Huron Elks Lodge 343, the Michigan Elks Association, ENVSC, and McLaren-Port Huron Yale VA. This is our way to say thank you, to our Veterans, active Military and first responders for their service. Please feel free to stop in, even without a scheduled appointment, we would enjoy your company.
On another note: The MiElks and Lodge 343 continue with our monthly (2) $25.00 free gas gift card “give-a-way” program as we are now in our 4th year. For the month of March, our very own Joe Ziarko, US Army along with Ronald Kriesch, US Air Force names were drawn for our monthly Marathon Gas Gift card drawing, congratulations! The Yale Veterans Clinic of McLaren/Port Huron Yale Community Health Center is located at 7470 Brockway Road, Yale, MI. 48097. To our Port Huron Elks Lodge 343 Veterans and newly initiated Veterans, your time served is very interesting to us, please consider sharing your Military Service story to Scott R. Harris DDGER, ENVSC VAVS Rep at scottharris55@comcast.net for a future Veterans Corner publication. The Yale Veterans Clinic of McLaren/Port Huron Yale Community Health Center is located at 7470 Brockway Road, Yale, MI. 48097
