Albion Elks donate $1,000 towards van for veterans

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Phyllis Schrader, center, chair of the Orleans County Veterans’ Van Service, accepts a check from Albion Elks Lodge for $1,000. From left are Mike Jenks, Elks’ Exalted Ruler; Joan and Marv Christ and April Flesch, members of the Elks’ Grant Committee; Schrader; Veterans’ Service Agency president David Kusmierczak; and Jack Miles, Ron Boyd and Brad Rouse, Veterans’ Service Agency members.

ALBION – The Albion Elks Club on Monday morning presented a check for $1,000 to the Orleans County Veterans’ Van Service, in what has become an annual tradition.

Albion Elks Exalted Ruler Mike Jenks and Grant Committee members Marv and Joan Christ and April Flesch presented the check to Phyllis Schrader, who heads the Veterans’ Van Service.

The presentation took place outside the Village House, where they were all treated to breakfast afterwards.

Flesch said the Elks has a national foundation which provides Freedom Grants specifically for the benefit of veterans, and this is the third year they have supported Orleans County’s Veterans’ Van Service.

They are currently working to secure a $3,000 grant for the VA Medical Center in Batavia, Flesch said.

One of the ways the Albion Elks raise money to support their community is through chicken barbecues, which this year will also offer hair cuts during the event in September at Carlton Recreation Hall, Flesch said.

Members of Albion Elks Lodge and Orleans County Veterans’ Service Agency posed with the newest van in service after the Elks presented a check for $1,000 on Monday morning to Phyllis Schrader, chair of the Veterans’ Van Service. At left are Elks Exalted Ruler Mike Jenks and Grant Committee members Joan and Marv Christ and April Flesch. At right, with Schrader, are Veterans Service Agency president Dave Kusmierczak and members Jack Miles, Ron Boyd and Brad Rouse.

The Veterans’ Van Service was started in December 1996 by Jim Andre of Kendall, who saw a need, said Phyllis Schrader, head the Veterans’ Van Service. They initially started with one van, and now maintain five in service to transport veterans to medical appointments. Last year, a van was donated by Cooper Funeral Home in Medina, Schrader said.

During July, volunteers made 46 trips to Batavia, 26 to Buffalo and 10 to other locations, logging 2,841 miles total. That brings the total year-to-date to 15,423 miles, Schrader said.

Volunteer drivers and office staff totaled 31, accumulating 2,286 volunteer hours, she said.

Vans are purchased through fundraisers and donations, however, the Buffalo VA pays for repairs and fuel.

Volunteers are always needed in the office and to drive the vans. Anyone interested can call the office at 589-2856.

During the monthly meeting, Veterans’ Service Agency president Dave Kusmierczak reminded members of Assemblyman Steve Hawley’s Patriot Trip for veterans to Washington in September. Donations have been received to help veterans with the cost of the trip.