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MACON, MO -- Every year Elks Lodges across the state of Missouri collect deer hides.

A local chapter, in Macon is collecting deer hides for disabled veterans. The hides will help create gloves, bill folds, key chains and more.

Cecil Arnett, an officer with the Macon Elks Lodge said Missouri is number one in the nation in the Elks Lodge organization in collecting deer hides.

"The Elks Lodge themselves nation-wide we collect deer hides for vets," Arnett said. "Through that we make those into leather gloves for wheelchair bound and people with crutches. At no cost to any vet in the nation. They're all administrated through the VA hospitals and your local elks lodge can get them for you."

This year the Macon elks lodge collected a total of 74 deer hides.

If you would like to donate deer hides to help disabled veterans you may drop them off in the alley of the Macon Elks Lodge at 212 North Rollins Street or you can call the lodge at (660) 385-2333