Elks collecting deer hides for veterans
By RACHEL LANE rlane@newsandsentinel.comST. MARYS - Deer hides are needed to benefit veterans across the United States and local drop-off points are in St. Marys, Pennsboro and Harrisville.
Robert Lanham, exalted ruler at St. Marys Elks Lodge, said the Lodge is collecting deer hides at the old 76 Station on Main Street, Pennsboro, the horse trailer next to the Gas and Goods on Main Street in Harrisville and the trailer in the backyard of the St. Marys Elk Club on Second Street.
"We don't sell them. We give them to the veterans," Lanham said.
Moccasins, change purses, key chains and fingerless gloves are among the items made with the deer leather.
Lanham will collect the deer hides throughout hunting season, then send them to a company for tanning and processing. The hides are cut into patterns, which are then sent to veterans hospitals around the country.
"They do the sewing... It works the hand muscles," Lanham said.
The fingerless gloves are for the veterans in wheelchairs, he said. They can use their fingers without a barrier and protect their palms. If a pair of gloves wears out, it is replaced for free.
Each item is stamped with the phrase "Elks thank veterans," Lanham said.
Elk lodges across the country are providing deer hides for the project, he said. Last year, he collected 144 deer hides, about half the total amount collected in West Virginia.
"I feel we owe it to the veterans," he said.
