Representatives of Elks Lodge 2596 in Cape Coral with the donated wheelchairs at the VA Hospital in the Cape. CHUCK BALLARO

The Veterans Administration doesn’t just rely on funding from the federal government. It relies on volunteers and donations from organizations and private citizens to help lighten the burden.

When the Elks Lodge 2596 of Cape Coral learned that the VA Hospital in Cape Coral needed wheelchairs, the fraternal organization got to work.

On Friday, the Elks presented the hospital with 12 wheelchairs for use for patients arriving and leaving the hospital.

John Nugent, a member of the lodge, said he called the hospital to ask if there was anything it needed. The hospital volunteer representative said they needed wheelchairs, the type that can be pushed.

It seems the chairs were disappearing and there weren’t enough chairs for everyone to go into the hospital.

“What we did was buy 10 wheelchairs. Later, someone bought two more for a total of 12,” Nugent said. “So, their veteran members can wheel themselves from their vehicle to the hospital for their appointment in comfort.”

The Elks got their shipment of chairs in just a few days, continuing their longtime partnership with the VA.

Nugent said the Elks got a grant from the hospital a couple years ago for homeless veterans for more than $4,000.

At Christmas, the Elks gave more than $3,000 in presents and have given donations of $500 for dinners for veterans of the war in Afghanistan and multiple donations to the veterans hospital.

The VA isn’t the only organization they help. The Elks also made a $5,000 donation to the Cape Coral Caring Center.

“That money went to help those primarily in the community to help pay for utility bills,” said Elk Rich Kampf. “Our main goal is to invest in the local community. One goal is to give back to local veterans and the other is caring about families with kids who are ill.”

Elks Lodge 2596 has done so much for veterans it earned an award for Elks volunteering on behalf of veterans for the whole state of Florida.

Eliud “Pico” Torres has been with the VA since 2016 and said it has been nothing but a pleasant experience.

“It gives me such an incredible pleasure to work as a volunteer. Then you see who’s willing to give up their time for our veterans,” Torres said. “It’s not just money, but also time.”

As for the wheelchairs, Torres said they could not have come at a better time, since they are so needed.

“When you come into a medical environment, the wheelchairs are on an as needed basis. Many of our veterans are not as mobile as they want to be,” Torres said. “They need wheelchairs when going from their vehicle to the clinic. The wheelchairs become critical to that.”