JACKSON – A hot lunch, some friendly conversation and some music by a band made up of local veterans is all part of the comfortable atmosphere featured at the Jackson Elks Lodge each month.
Elks Lodge 2744 Exalted Ruler Joe LaMonica said, “we started a new program for our veterans. First, we have a member, (Dennis Champ) who gives free guitar lessons to vets. Then we have a luncheon we set up for them. They also get entertained by a band made up of all veterans and most are our members. They are called LZ Jersey.”
Champ of Toms River said, “I’m a member of the Elks club here. I started with the guitar class for vets nine or 10 years ago at the Vets Center in Lakewood. Charlie Worth was the director there and he started the program. It was music for PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).
“I branched off and started a group in Manalapan which I still have. I do that on Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m. and then here I do it on Thursdays. We do it every week so if there are any vets out there who want to play – come on down and play,” Champ said.
Champ added, “the music has helped a lot of these guys who are suffering with PTSD and it takes you away from that. I love doing it. We’re just having fun.”
He is part of the LZ Jersey Band that performs at the luncheons and at other events. “A bass player ‘Bootsie’ here that has since passed due to cancer, he started the band. It has been good. I look forward to working with vets. I like to see them come in and join us as it is a lot of fun.”
Champ added that he has guitars that vets can practice on if they don’t already have one.
This marked the lodge’s third veterans’ luncheon and it is usually on a monthly basis but Champ said the event needs more awareness. “It is hard to get the crowd out. If vets already have an instrument and they play, they are more than welcome to join us. That is how the band started as a matter of fact. Everybody that was in the class got together and started playing.”
The band is made up from those from various communities such as Toms River, Hamilton, Lakewood and Manchester.
“The Elks are great to us. They do a lot for vets,” Champ added.
Luncheon Cook and Chairman of the Board of Directors for the lodge Tim Murphy said, “the luncheons started after Memorial Day or right around that time we started using our grills for hot dogs and hamburgers and then we decided to do it every other month to bring people in.
“The last time we had a gentleman who served in four wars. He was very interesting to talk to and meet. Other times we’ve had some organizations that have helped veterans come in and do a talk and hand out paperwork to make sure they get all the services they need,” he said.
“We’ve been averaging 25-30 attendees,” Murphy said. “We are currently collecting food and donations for veterans for this time of year. The whole idea of the Elks is charity. We’re here to serve veterans and anyone in the community.”
Murphy added, “we are currently collecting food and donations for food baskets for families and veterans for the holidays. People who wish to help can call our number which is 732-363-4101.We can make an appointment to meet here.”
LaMonica noted that Elks invest in their communities through programs that help children grow up healthy and drug-free, honor the service and sacrifice of our veterans, and improve the quality of life.
For more information about the guitar lesson program or participating with the LZ Band e-mail Champ at DSCLNC1953@gmail.com or call him at 732-239-6288.
For information about the veteran luncheons contact Tim Murphy, by calling or texting 732-740-6906.
