Youth Activities Emphasis on Veterans

 By William C. Brady, State Chairman

Bob Jones, Grand Lodge Youth Activities Committeeman for Area 1, has recently informed me that this Lodge Year emphasis will be put on the Youth Veterans Volunteer Program.  Many of today’s young men and women know little of the sacrifices our Veterans have made to enrich their lives because U.S. history has been moved to the back burner in many school systems.  In addition, we have the weakening of national holidays, such as Veterans Day, both in our communities and in the Nation as a whole.  We hope that by involving our youth in a Veterans program, recognition of the services performed by our Veterans, will reemerge in today’s youth and be passed on to their children and into the future.

 This should be a fun and rewarding program.  There will be a brochure contest open to all subordinate Lodges.  Brochures must be submitted to Bob by May 1,2002.  His mailing address, for those wishing to participate is: Robert A. Jones, 568 Monadnock Hwy., E. Swanzey, NH. 03446. 

 Judging Criteria will follow other Grand Lodge Criteria for judging.  Samples of some types of activities are:

• Birthday cards to Vets,
• Special occasion cards,
• Invite Veterans into schools etc. as speakers,
• Sponsoring and conducting outings for Vets,
• Reading to Vets,
• Assist at Vets facilities,
• Calls to vets,
• Comfort care kits,
• Donations of various materials to the veteran's hospitals and homes.

With some thought and organization you can tailor a program for your individual Lodge using the talents of your communities youth.  This appears to be a very worthwhile program and one that is worthy of consideration in YOUR LODGE.

 I recently received a copy of the minutes of the Grand Lodge Youth Activities Seminar.  I thought that a simple reminder of some of the programs discussed would be beneficial for the Exalted Rulers and Lodge Chairmen:

• Junior Golf Program / Tournament
• Teenager/ Junior Student of the Month/Year
• Scouting Program (Boys and Girls)
• Soccer Shoot and Hoop Shoot (Separate Committees in MA.)
• Youth Week (National)
• Best Lodge Youth Program Brochure
• State Association Brochure Program
• Antlers Program (Junior Elks)

 Most of these programs are outlined in your Youth Activities Book.  The rest I have info on.

 As always, if I can be of assistance to you during the Lodge year please contact me at: 508-746-8751 (home) or 1-800-423-2267 (work), or via e-mail at BILLBRADY@peoplepc.com (home) or WBrady@onebeacon.com (Work).

 Also please feel free to contact your District and Area Chairpersons as listed in our State Directory.

 Remember that today's Youth are tomorrow's Elks.