Photo provided Rose Durant, from left, Peggy Cusick, Rose Moodie, Frank Papini and Tom Cusick, members of the Ohio River Valley Elks No. 231, participate in civic activities to honor veterans in 2019.

MARTINS FERRY — The Ohio River Valley Elks is collecting donations throughout the month of October to give to veterans in local nursing homes on Veterans Day.

Mary Carolyn Nichelson of the Elks Lodge said the Ohio River Valley Elks received a Freedom Grant from the Elks National Foundation that will provide the veterans with a hoodie, hat, regular socks, slipper socks and a pajama set.

Nichelson said the Elks are asking local schools to provide personal hygiene items. She said the Elks sent information to Martins Ferry Christian School, St. Mary Central School in Martins Ferry, St. Mary Central School in St. Clairsville, Martins Ferry City Schools, Bridgeport Exempted Village Schools and Bellaire Local Schools.

According to a press release, donated items can include aftershave, shaving cream, razors, toothbrushes, toothpaste, lotion, shampoo, soap, nail clippers and files, small packs of tissues, candy, puzzle books, puzzles, playing cards and cash.

The Elks Lodge asks that people donate smaller items since many nursing home patients have limited space.

The lodge also encourages students from the schools to make cards or small crafts for the veterans.

“We have been doing this for several years, and we usually get an overwhelming response,” Nichelson said.

Nichelson said anyone can donate items even if they are not associated with any of the schools. Items can be dropped off at the lodge on Friday and Saturday evenings when the lodge is open or at any of the participating schools.

She said donations are due by Oct. 30 so that the lodge has time to sort and bag the items before Veterans Day, which is Nov. 11.

The donated items will support veterans at 10 local facilities: Shadyside Care Center, Country Club Rehab in Bellaire, Rolling Hills Nursing Home in Bridgeport, Park Health Center in St. Clairsville, Forest Hills Healthcare and Rehabilitation in St. Clairsville, Beacon House Senior Living in St. Clairsville, East Ohio Continuous Care in Martins Ferry, Sienna Hills Rehab and Nursing Home in Adena, The Laurels of Steubenville and Carriage Inn in Steubenville.

Nichelson said Tom and Peggy Cusick, veterans chairpersons of the Ohio River Valley Elks, helped organize the event.

According to a press release from the Elks Lodge, “This project has previously been a huge success and is always appreciated by the veterans living in the care facilities.”

The Ohio River Valley Elks Lodge is also hosting its annual turkey dinner on Nov. 11 to celebrate Veterans Day. The meal will be free to all veterans, and other guests can eat for a fee.

For more information, contact the Ohio River Valley Elks Lodge at elks231@gmail.com or contact Nichelson at nichelson2@comcast.net or 740-296-9794.

The Ohio River Valley Elks Lodge was instituted in 1892 and currently has 260 members.