Encinitas Elks present $500 grant to Veterans Village

Darcy Pavich, Veterans Village Chaplain and Program Director for Stand Down, was presented with a $500 Gratitude Grant May 21 from the Elks National Foundation on behalf of the Encinitas Elks Lodge #2243.

During the weekly Thursday night dinner, members had a chance to hear Pavich share some history of Veterans Village and how the Elks have been involved.

Veterans Village was founded in 1981, starting as an employment program. It eventually transitioned to a place of resources for veterans. Veterans Village provides services or referrals for employment, mental health needs, food and families in transition and housing.

According to Pavich, the Elks have stepped in and supported Veterans Village at times of need, especially at holidays and back-to-school time. The Encinitas Elks have assisted with various programs, such as Adopt a Family at holidays, which provides gifts, clothing and food that these families would otherwise go without. Another program is Stand Down, which is an annual three-day event. This year’s Stand Down will be July 17-19 at San Diego High School. The program is designed to help San Diego’s homeless veterans on any given night “combat” life on the streets through a “hand up, not hand out” philosophy.

“Service organizations such as the Elks have been there to assist Veterans Village,” said Pavich. “They have stepped up and continue to support and help veterans in need.”

The Elks organization is a charitable, not-for-profit organization donating hundreds of thousand of dollars to charities, schools and veterans each year. For information on the local Encinitas Lodge, visit www.encinitaselks.org or email elkhorn2243@gmail.com.