EVERETT — For more than half a century, he’s volunteered for the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

Today, Carl Frisk, 79, serves veterans at the Everett Elks Lodge No. 479. He goes out of his way to make sure they get recognition for the sacrifices that come with military service and works with newspapers to share those stories.

Frisk, of Everett, spends his time writing hundreds of birthday and holiday cards for veterans. He delivers treats and well wishes to those who are full-time residents on the Veteran Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System campus in Seattle.

Despite a recent health problem that has made it hard for him to get around without a wheelchair, Frisk brought about 150 valentines from Everett to patients at the VA in February.

“They really enjoyed that,” he said. “It’s kind of fun taking care of these guys.”

He organizes a monthly bingo game for VA patients too. Frisk collects snacks and donated prizes for the game.

For years, he’s put on the annual veterans dinner at the Everett Elks Lodge.

“Everybody seems to like that ham dinner,” he said. “I pick it because it’s my favorite. But sometimes I don’t even have time to eat.”

He also wants to get valor medals to parents of area soldiers who died while serving their county. He has their names printed on banners to be carried in Veterans Day parades.

Frisk sees it as his job to advocate for veterans. He raises money for their needs and supports them in many other ways.

For one veteran, he collected donations to buy a wheelchair battery. When a group of Vietnam veterans needed a place to meet, he saw to it that they could use the lodge.

Frisk was born in Longview but spent most of his childhood in Everett. At 17, he lied about his age and signed up for the National Guard.

After four years, and a brief stint in the Army, he was honorably discharged because of a back injury.

Frisk spent his career managing auto-glass shops in California and Washington. He has two children, David Frisk, of Everett, and Patricia Mallory, of Rupert, Idaho.

David Frisk said his father has always put everybody else before himself.

“He’s the guy who wants to take the picture instead of being in it. That’s just the kind of guy he is,” he said. “He’s so excited about the things he does for other people.”

Amy Nile: 425-339-3192; anile@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @AmyNileReports.