By Xhaxany Cuellar
There are many older veterans in nursing homes, VA facilities and hospitals who do not have family nearby. Elks National Veterans Service has provided a way for veterans to interact with each other and the community by creating the Adopt-a-Veteran program.
The program aims to provide friendship and assistance to veterans who are lonely and isolated. Veterans in VA hospitals, assisted care homes, community living center, retirement homes, homeless and transitional shelters, and hospital domiciliary programs are all eligible and volunteers and able to adopt, more than one veteran or even an entire floor unit.
The Elks family can be found all over the nation and the program is made possible through volunteers. The program has recruited 1,699 volunteers who have spent a combined total of 23,796 hours serving and supporting these veterans.
To learn more about the Elks program or donate visit: Adopt-A-Vet
