Community Service Resources

We work every day to make sure Kentucky's 295,000 veterans and their families receive all the benefits and services they have earned. Here you will find information on benefits counseling, skilled long-term care at state veterans centers, dignified interment at state veterans cemeteries, health care, education, employment and special programs for women veterans, homeless veterans and others.

The Order spends more than $80,000,000 every year for benevolent, educational and patriotic community-minded programs in such fields as benefitting special needs children, sponsoring Elks National Foundation scholarships, scouting, athletic teams, veterans' works, a national "Hoop Shoot" free-throw contest involving more than 3 million children, physical and occupational therapy programs and patriotic programs.

At Active Heroes, our goal is to eliminate veteran suicide. We believe that can be done in a variety of ways. We have a retreat center, located in Shepherdsville, KY, that provides many therapeutic and relaxation opportunities to veterans, current service members, and their families. At our community center, we have programs such as acupuncture, massage therapy and reiki, yoga, music lessons, and family events. Everything we offer is completely free to use, providing stress-free opportunities at no cost to the veteran, current service member or their family. Our Active Challenges held throughout the nation and overseas helps to provide camaraderie and focuses on preventing suicide among our veterans and current service members. We are implementing a new equine assisted services program that will provide mental health therapy and recreational opportunities for veterans and family members.

Holiday Mail for Heroes is an initiative collecting donations and supplies for care packages to send to both active members of the armed forces & veterans Thanksgiving, Hannukah, Christmas and other holidays during the season. They collect cards and other packages from high schools, college students, and entire communities.