Kentucky Elks Association Launches Female Veterans Health Initiative

Volunteers of America Mid-States has teamed with supporting community volunteers and organizations to host the Hardin County Annual Stand Down. A Stand Down is a community effort to provide much needed relief to our at-risk service members, veterans, and community members.

Provided Free of Charge:

Help with Veteran Housing Eligibility - Health Screenings — Legal Aid - Personal Hygiene VA and Social Security Benefits Information

Employment Counseling- Utility Assistance- Food - Entertainment

The Kentucky Elks Association is supporting this VOA event and Introducing the Female Veteran’s Health Initiative

The Kentucky Elks Association is partnering with the KY Elks Auxiliary and Drug Awareness Program and is proud to announce the launch of the Female Veteran’s Health Initiative, a new statewide project designed to provide direct support to female veterans facing the unique challenges of PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), MST (Military Sexual Trauma), and IPV (Intimate Partner Violence).

This initiative is focused on assisting female veterans by providing Comfort and Coping Tools, Health and Wellness Products and Safety and Security Items.

This important initiative will officially kick off on September 5, 2025, during the Veterans Stand Down hosted by Elizabethtown Elks Lodge #2891. With funding made available through the Kentucky Elks Auxiliary, local lodges will now have the opportunity to develop and expand projects that create positive and lasting impacts in the lives of female veterans.

As part of the Stand Down event, all attending female veterans will receive specialized resources, wellness materials, and care packages tailored to support mental health, personal safety, drug awareness and recovery. This effort is just the beginning—our goal is to strengthen connections, increase awareness, and ensure that every female veteran in Kentucky knows the Elks Care, Elks Share.

We encourage every lodge to participate and join us in honoring and supporting the brave women who have worn the uniform. Get started by downloading the Tangible Items list here. Plan a local event and let the State Chair know how we can help. There is funding available to assist your lodge in conducting a successful event. To take advantage of this funding, send an email to Veterans@KentuckyElks.org. Together, we can Be The Difference.

For additional information and support, reach out to the KY Elks Association Veteran’s Chair, Martin “Marty” Harbolt at Veterans@KentuckyElks.org

Fraternally,

Marty