September 2022 by American L.
I was a guest at the Reno Elks Lodge Friday, 23 September 2022, so this review is only for that day. The Reno Elks Lodge hosted the annual local Veterans Stand Down which is an annual outside event going on nationwide every September. Veterans Stand Downs are typically one- to three-day outside events during which VA (US Department of Veterans Affairs) staff, community groups, state Veterans divisions, and volunteers provide free food, water, clothing, footwear, toiletries, health screenings, bedding, Veterans pins, Veterans stickers, hats, gloves, scarves, plants, P-38 can openers, many various items for Veterans' pets, hand warmers, sun glasses, Veterans key chains, sea bags aka barrack bags as well as wheeled suitcases to homeless and at-risk Veterans and any Veteran and Veteran's family who wants to attend. In addition, Veterans also receive referrals for VA enrollment, health care, housing solutions, employment, substance use treatment, mental health counseling, transportation, computers, benefits, telehealth, mst counseling, quitting smoking, nutrition and weight management, exercise, and other essential services. So, there were a lot of VA departments, community groups, the state Veterans division, volunteers, and Veterans at this Washoe County, Nevada Veterans Stand Down.The Reno Elks Lodge did an adequate job of organizing and operating this large event. Which is saying a lot as this event required a lot of coordination with a lot of VA departments, community groups, state Veterans division, and volunteers. The event was set up in the very large parking lot. The Reno Elks Lodge brought in and always kept clean Sani-Huts to serve the very large crowd. They placed plenty of garbage cans throughout this very large and very spread out event. They had a PA system setup with a man who went to each participating VA department, community group and state Veterans division and had them each briefly say what they do.The local Navy JROTC performed the opening American Flag ceremony, and did it well, and with reverent dignity. We Veterans responded with equal reverent dignity.Inside the Lodge, VA medical staff gave me this year's flu shot. I found the Lodge itself to be beautiful, clean and well-maintained.elks.org/lodges/home.cfm… elks.org/programs/news.c… washoeschools.net/domain…The Katie Grace Foundation yelp.com/biz/katie-grace… was there. Although they had previously boasted in their advertising "Katie Grace Foundation will be there to offer a hot meal." they had NO hot meal offered there.
