SALISBURY — When it comes to serving veterans, the Salisbury Elks Lodge #699 and Touching Hearts Charities share a clear, strong mission to make a positive difference in the lives of veterans.

On Saturday, Dec. 2, they joined efforts to sort products, pack Christmas gift bags, enjoy lunch and raise money to support the Holiday Heroes service project. 

Yolanda Bynum, formerly of Atlanta and now residing in Lexington, created Holiday Heroes in December 2017. Her purpose was to create a legacy in honor of her father who served 21 years in the Marine Corps and her first husband who died unexpectedly that year. The nonprofit focuses on helping disabled veterans, forgotten seniors and children in need. 

Bynum and her husband, James, became members of Salisbury Elks this year. She is a wife, mother, grandmother and reigning Miss North America 2023. She volunteers, cooks, bakes, travels, sings and plans charity events. So where does she find the time to manage the demands of Holiday Heroes?

“I count on volunteers (aka Holiday Heroes) to share their time, talents and resources,” Bynum said. “That’s why the Salisbury Elks connection is so important to us. I also want to reach and teach youth that it’s okay to put others first. In the words of John F. Kennedy, one person can make a difference, everyone should try.”

Kenny Martin agrees. Martin is the current Exalted Ruler for the Elks and retired 1st Sergeant who served for 32 years with the N.C. Army National Guard. 

“Partnerships like Holiday Heroes are near and dear to the Elks and to me personally,” Martin said. “It’s who we are and what we do. The Elks motto says it best, ‘As long as there are veterans, the Benevolent Protective Order of the Elks (BPOE) will never forget them.’” 

The partnership formed quickly when Bynum was looking for space to host the Holiday Heroes event in Salisbury. She met Jim Kessler, a local Elks officer, who served in the Air Force for five years. They talked about the space and the event, but they also talked about their shared mission and service work.  

“It was really a perfect marriage between what she’s doing and her dedication to giving back to the veterans and what we’re doing here as Elks,” Kessler said.  

Kathy Ender has been a local Elks member for nearly 20 years and is currently the Lodge Chaplain. As one of many Holiday Heroes, she volunteered to help with the event and to shop, wrap and pack Christmas gift bags.

“My husband and I chose to “adopt” a female veteran,” Ender said. “There are more female veterans in crisis than people are aware.”

The Enders purchased personal care items, hats, gloves, scarfs pajamas, umbrella, towels, candy and even some perfume. 

“We chose items that were warm and cozy plus fun with a holiday theme,” Ender said. “The bags are filled with useful gifts, but they’re also filled with love and care to help make Christmas special.” 

Elk’s members, Bob and Gail Sce, are two more Holiday Heroes.

“Yolanda provides a very helpful list of who and what to shop for,” said Bob, who serves as Elks Treasurer and is a veteran of the Vietnam War. “We put two bags together, one for an adult female and one for an adult male.” 

Bynum hopes that Holiday Heroes continues to grow. In 2017, they served 28 children and adults. In 2021, they provided over $4,000 of donated products to help sustain a veteran’s shelter. This year, the goal is to share Christmas gifts and joy for over 100 veterans and children. 

The goal is to deliver the gifts in the coming weeks. Salisbury Elks #699 is hosting a Children’s Christmas Party at the local lodge on South Main Street. Martin and Bynum will visit the N.C. State Veterans Home at the Salisbury VA on Brenner Avenue. The holiday celebration will include Santa and Mrs. Claus and refreshments to share the Christmas care packages along with gifts of time, friendship and love.

Bynum invites and encourages others to get involved with service projects. 

“There is always time to help to help others in need during the holidays and beyond,” Bynum said. “Our motto at Touching Hearts is ‘the more hands we have, the more hearts we touch.’”

For more information, contact Yolanda Bynum at Yolanda.Grayson@yahoo.com, 770-653-3676 or go to www.herotouchinghearts.weebly.com.

To learn more about the Salisbury Elks #699, go to www.SalisburyElks.org.