Elks Lodge presents $1K check to van service for veterans

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Members of the Albion Elks Lodge met with volunteers from the Veterans’ Van Service Monday morning to present them a check for $1,000 toward a new van. Holding the check, second and third from the right, are David Kusmierczak, president of the Joint Veterans’ Council, and Nancy Traxler, Veterans’ Service Officer and treasurer of the van service. Others are volunteer drivers and Elks members.

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 11 July 2023 at 9:05 pm

ALBION – The Orleans County Veterans’ Van Service got a boost toward a new van with a $1,000 donation Monday from Albion Elks Lodge.

When a grant was made available to the Albion Elks from their Grand Lodge, they interviewed several organizations and decided to give the $1,000 to the Veteran’s Van Service.

Those who attended the check presentation included David Kusmierczak, president of the Joint Veterans’ Council; Nancy Traxler, Veterans’ Service officer; Paul Fulcomer, former Veterans’ Service officer; Phyllis Schrader, coordinator of the van service; Elks members Marv and Joan Christ, Ken Draper, Lynda Standish and April Flesch; and the volunteer van drivers.

The veterans’ van service is operated under the auspices of the Orleans Joint Veterans’ Council. The program is run by all volunteers, including Phyllis Schrader, who schedules drivers and generally oversees the program.

She provided information on the number of volunteer drivers and miles driven taking veterans to medical appointments. Currently the program has 21 drivers and 10 office people.

To date this year, 328 trips have been made, transporting 406 veterans. Volunteer drivers have donated 309 hours and driven 1,912 miles.

Last year, 867 veterans were transported by 20 volunteer drivers who logged 4,446 hours.

Schrader explained the van service has a fleet of five vans, and only buys late model, low mileage vehicles. The one they currently need to replace has 120,000 miles, she said.

Anyone wishing to make a donation can send a check to Veterans’ Van Service, 13996 Route 31 West, Albion.