Laconia Elks Donate $7,000 to Provide Dental Care for NH Veterans

Laconia Elks Club, NH Lodge 876, recently awarded a $7,000 donation in support of dental services for the residents of Harbor Care’s Boulder Point Veterans Housing facility in Plymouth. The Club also donated an additional $1,500 in new towels and pillows.

Boulder Point offers apartments to veterans experiencing homelessness and also provides mentoring, case management, and other supportive services to residents. Harbor Care operates the facility in partnership with the White River Junction Veterans Affair Medical Center.

Brian Tagliaferro, Harbor Care’s Chief Philanthropy Officer, accepted the award. “We are grateful for the La-

• Doodlin’ continued from page 22 who may have forgotten they have talent or are in need of a creative outlet in this sometimes-stressful world.” Di’s classes are a source of inspiration, a place for participants to meet with friends, and make new acquaintances. This is a chance to relax doing something in which they derive enjoyment and satisfaction. It is an evening to encourage participants of all ages and creative skills to just play. Many folks will join in on paint nights arriving with the thought that they can’t even draw a stick figure, and return home surprised and proud of themselves.

Working mostly with acrylic paints, Di feels this is the easiest medium with a water base and a fast dry time. Occasionally, around the holidays her classes will make signs, home décor projects and holiday crafts. How does she choose a subject for a paint class when at times there may be more than twenty attendees with varying skill levels? Some of the paintings for paint classes may be requested by the host, by attendees, or by a particular theme Di may choose. At times, around an upcoming holiday, she may choose a conia Elks’ generous commitment to New Hampshire veterans,” Tagliaferro stated. “Of the many benefits veterans receive through the VA, dental care is not one of them for most veterans. For veterans we serve in particular, this often means years of deferred care with serious health consequences.”

A fraternal order of more than 750,000 members in 2,000 lodges nationwide, The Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks donates $80 million a year to support young people, veterans, and others in need.

Harbor Care is the largest provider of supportive and permanent housing for veterans and individuals experiencing chronic homelessness in great- theme for that particular holiday. She tries to keep paintings simple. However, while she is instructing, she will offer suggestions to the more advanced artists and also encourage attendees to add their own custom touches to their artwork.

Di reflected back to what began with a set of 15 easels, paint brush sets, and aprons which has grown to nearly 40 sets – her largest class has been 38 attendees. On some of her larger classes Di’s mom, who has always been her biggest supporter, and her daughter help make sure everyone has clean water and plenty of paint, while Di orchestrates the process of painting. Di said, “I am grateful for being able to share what I love, and help others find joy in Art.”

Paint & Sip Night with Doodlin’ Di, is a once-a-month event at Hobbs Tavern in West Ossipee in their private Special Events Room. “Get a snack or a drink and paint the night away.” er Nashua and beyond. Harbor Care helped 343 veterans experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness to access stable housing last year. In addition, since 2020, amidst a pandemic, Harbor Care has moved 246 individuals and families experiencing chronic homelessness into permanent housing, including 92 in 2022

A kick-off to summer Paint & Sip Night will be held on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at Goodhue Boat Company in Wolfeboro.

More information on the different events can be found on Doodlin’ Di’s Facebook Page.

Harbor Care is an innovative non-profit organization, providing housing, health care, and human ser- vices, helping more than 5,000 adults, children, and families of New Hampshire each year find solutions to many of life’s most challenging issues. The organization provides high quality housing and residential services; medical, dental and mental healthcare; substance use treatment; home care; HIV/ AIDS care; employment; and veteran services. For further information, visit www.harborcarenh.org