Congrats Arizona on our 5 star rating from the Grand Lodge for a seventh year.
Welcome to the great state of Arizona, the home of one of the many wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon. AEA President Sue Krausman thanks all visitors for stopping by to see what our Association is doing.
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Our State Major Projects are the Steele Children’s Research Center at the University of Arizona and the Youth Camp in Globe, AZ.
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Click to see photos of your 2024-25 Arizona Elks Association Officers, Appointees, Grand Lodge Representatives, along with their spouses.
The State President’s Motto:
“Spread the Joy”
The State President’s Monthly Message:
November 2024
Brother and Sister Elks,
November is the month the United States of America honors its veterans. When I visited Payson Lodge 2154 as 1st Vice President South, we discussed their local Veterans Project, Pleasant Valley Veterans Retreat. This year during the Show Low meeting, we again talked about it. Art Schaier, a member of Payson Lodge 2154, sent me more facts about the location. Because he is so passionate about it (especially as we have so many vets needing a bit of peace), I am paraphrasing his article about this project open to Arizona Veterans. His full article was given to the Exalted Rulers at the Mid-Year Convention.
Last month, Payson Elks Lodge #2154 gave a $10,000 check to Pleasant Valley Veterans Retreat (PVVR) at their 2nd annual Gala event. Last year they gave $5,000. PVVR is an amazing project, and it is starting to receive a lot of state and national attention. State Representative Dave Marshal presented a bill to congress for one-time special funding for the retreat. The bi-partisan bill passed unanimously in the amount of $3,000,000. There is currently a bi-partisan bill in the Senate that, if successful, will permanently deed the property to Gila County. Gila County Supervisor Woody Cline, Congressman Paul Gosar, Senator Kyrsten Sinema, Senator Mark Kelly, and Congressman Eli Crane passed the bills through committee and are presently waiting for a vote.
The purpose of this Veterans Retreat is to provide a peaceful place for all veterans and their families. During deployment, the whole family is affected by separation, and this retreat was created as a safe, enjoyable space with facilities to restore their union with each other. Part of the PVVR’s mission is: When one person serves, the whole family serves.
The Retreat is still in the beginning stage, with plans to expand based on suggestions presented by vets. Taking 5 years, partners Gila County officials, the United States Forest Service, and Federal and State elected officials, this beautiful and peaceful property now provides a retreat for all US veterans and their families in a beautiful 232-acre property in Young, AZ.
The 232 acres include two refurbished houses, fully supplied with dishes, cookware, bed linens, towels, etc. There are also two barrack homes with ten private bedrooms including bedding and towels. The barracks have common areas for these individuals (kitchen, bath, dining room, living room, BBQ and covered decks). RV spots with electric, water, and sewer hookups are also on site at no cost. And yes, donations are always appreciated. Additionally, there are about 19 Ramadas that came from Roosevelt Lake sprinkled about the land with shelter covers for anyone to use. The Administration building can now accept veterans, events, and reservations for meetings.
The Elks’ Veterans Pledge is: “So long as there are veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them.” If your Lodge is looking for a (or another) veterans project, PVVR is an established nonprofit organization. It depends on contributions and donations to continue operating. Many of your members are veterans themselves and may have wished for someplace like PVVR upon return from deployment.
Like our Youth Camp in Young is for all AZ children, PVVR is open to all Arizona veterans. Their website is: pleasantvalleyveteransretreat.com. Art truly believes in the PVVR and its healing powers for our veterans and their families. It is a very worthy cause, and it’s just in its beginning stages. Freedom is not FREE and we need patriotism now more than ever. Please contact him with any questions or more information ([email protected] or 602-291-9922).
Fraternally,
Susan “Sue” Krausman, President
Arizona Elks Association
Online Forms
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Elks Training
Take the Training Quiz # 11 Today! You will not be graded, however you will be able to grade yourself after submitting your answers. Please take the quiz today!
Arizona Elks Red Vest Order Form
If you’re planning on heading to Austin for the 2024 Grand Lodge Convention order your RED VEST TODAY and show your Arizona Spirit and comradery.
We offer the Arizona Elks Red Vests in sizes S, M, L, XL, and XXL. You can have your vest with or without a front pocket.
You have the option of Jerry Grimes from Kingman, picking up your vest for you, or you may have the vest delivered to your home.
Click on the Red Vest Order Form link above and email it. Contact information is on the form
* * * Ladies * * * * Jewelry Project * * * * Update * * * *
Thank you AEA Ladies and friends for all the jewelry donated to the AEA Jewelry Project. At the May convention in Tempe I reported the following:
- The Jewelry Project is under the guidance of the Past State President’s Spouses
- In one year we served over 1,100 children, patients of the six AEA Elks Clinics [our original clinic at the hospital, North Hills, Orange Grove, La Cholla, Glendale, Mesa] and the Steele Children’s Hospital plus, three Clothe a Child events held in Yuma, Kearny and Chandler chose over 2,500 pieces of jewelry for their Mothers, Grandmothers, Nanas or favorite nurse.
- This was accomplished without using any funding from AEA or Major Projects
For further information please contact me with questions at any time via [email protected] or phone 520-235-5598.
Thank You! It will make your heart swell with pride and accomplishment!
Diane Skorupski
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