(above, l-r) Kathleen Olesen, Stephanie Zitsch, Jamie Weinschenk (Arc), Mary Lewis, David Lewis, and Betty Volker
Watchung Hills Elks Lodge 885
Submitted by Michael Ryder
Early May, Lisa Marie Arieno contacted Elks Lodge 885 member Kim DeVizio. Lisa Marie is the director of Foundation Development and Public Relations with The Arc of Somerset, and wanted to see if the Elks could help the Arc’s special needs families.
It was during a “Ladies of the Elks” Zoom meeting that the Arc’s needs were relayed by Lisa Marie to explain the “why and need” for food. Somerset ARC has 34 group homes and supervised apartments, 95 residents and 65-75 staff members. The residents of these group homes are adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Most residents attend Adult-Day Care facilities but are unable to since the COVID-19 pandemic lock down began.
The Somerset ARC Direct Support Professionals are front line workers who are currently dealing with medically fragile patients at the group homes and apartments. The home-made meals would be one less thing they need to do for that day and would be very much appreciated.
The Elks members stepped up! For the next four weeks they provided one home-cooked meal for the two homes located in Warren and two homes located in North Plainfield. This equates to approximately 25 meals. Each week we have one Chairperson who will coordinate the meal cooking and delivery. Our first delivery was picked up by Lisa Marie’s husband and Arc volunteer Jamie Weinschenk.
Many people join the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks to participate in our patriotic events or help us provide volunteer services to veterans and special children’s groups, or simply to make new friends in the local community.
Are you interested in joining the Elks? Our members come from Warren Township and from towns within a 10 mile radius. You can learn more about us at elkslodge885.org, come down and meet us at Watchung Hills Elks Lodge 885 or send us an email to get the ball rolling at membership@elkslodge885.org.
(above, l-r) Jamie Weinschenk, Betty Volker, Mary Lewis, David Lewis, Kathleen Olesen, Stephanie Zitsch, Linda Helmstetter and Kim DeVizio. Not pictured: Martha & John Pizzigoni, Liz Egan, Mel Doremus, Deni Heilman, Bridget Horn, Debbie Figel, Audrey Lipinski and Valerie Miziack
