deer hunting seasons underway, the Jefferson Elks lodge hopes local hunters will donate their deer hides to help disabled veterans.
Each year the Jefferson Elks lodge collects deer hides to be used in veterans hospitals in Iowa and across the country. The hides are donated by local hunters to the Elks lodge. The hides are then processed at a tannery, at the Elks expense, and donated to the veterans hospital craft shops.
Disabled veterans at the Marshalltown Veterans Home, and similar facilities, make wheelchair gloves for others as well as a variety of crafts.
Nationally, Elks last year distributed more than 2,500 pairs of wheelchair gloves and more than 65,000 square feet of crafting leather to disabled veterans through this project, as well as 63,700 crafting kits.
Iowa Elks were third in the nation in donated hides last year. The Jefferson lodge collected about 150 hides during the last hunting season and is hoping to better that by a large margin this year.
Exalted ruler Hollie Roberts said, “This is a great way to show our appreciation to those veterans who have given so much to our country.” Roberts invites all hunters to donate their deer hides this year to the Jefferson Elks. It’s very easy – just call the Elks lodge at 515-386-2106 after 4 pm or contact Les Fister at 515-370-3724. Arrangements will be made to pick up or drop off hides.
