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Each year the third Wednesday of December is a special day for the Bethel Park Elks Lodge 2213 and the S/W Veterans Center in Pittsburgh.

Bethel Park Elks Lodge 2213 distribute Christmas gifts at the S/W Veterans Center in Pittsburgh

On that day, the Elks arrive with a truckload of presents for all the residents at the center. In September, the staff at the center have the residents fill out Christmas "wish-list" cards which are then delivered to the Elks by October 1st. Each resident can list up to 5 items and the Elks usually provide 3 or 4 of the Items listed as gift-wrapped presents.

This project is the Lodge's biggest undertaking of each year, and their work begins much earlier in the year with fund-raising and gathering presents. Bonnie Filyo, Exalted Ruler of Lodge 2213, heads up the project each year. Throughout the year, Bonnie and her sister, Dorothy Sheldon, watch for sales on some of the personal items that appear on the lists each year and stock up on these items.

"Whatever they want, we try to get, " says Exalted Ruler Filyo "buying, wrapping and transporting the gifts is a lot of work, but it is worth it when you see the looks on their faces. They are like children on Christmas morning, and that makes everything worthwhile."

As the B.P.O.E. is a non-profit organization, money to purchase the gifts comes thru donations from some Lodge 2213 members, outside persons donating to help, and grant money from the B.P.O.E. Grand Lodge in Chicago, Ill. Several local groups volunteer time and service to the effort, such as the Dormont V.F.W. Post 694, and the Vietnam Veterans Inc. This year, Michael Zubanic, owner of the Basic Building Interiors of

Bethel Park Elks get a thumbs up from appretiative Vets.

Bethel Park provided a box truck and two employees to help load the presents, drive the truck up to the center, and helped to unload. Also helping the lodge with the enormous task of wrapping, labelling and attaching a Christmas card to each of the presents were the Bethel Park Women's Club, the Girl Scouts of Troop 57015, and members from several local churches.

Chris Veitch, Therapeutic Recreation Services Supervisor at the Center says "The residents eagerly look forward to the event each year, and really enjoy the interactive experience. This annual Elk's Christmas party is one of the biggest events here at the center and the one where the most gifts are given to the Vets by any single organization."

The Elks begin fund-raising efforts early in the year, as total costs of the project exceed $7,000. If any organization or family wishes to become part of this holiday outreach program for the vets, please contact the Elks at 412-835-7040 or email them at southhillselks@comcast.net.

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