Southwest Central District

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Written by Ronna Mason, PER

On Feb. 17, Sebring Elks Lodge #1529 members and one guest volunteered for the Feeding Tampa Bay mobile program at the Hands for Homeless in Avon Park. They sorted foods to be distributed to clients. Twice a month, cars line up early in the morning and food items such as fresh fruit, vegetables, bread and proteins are boxed up and placed in their trunks. According to Jane Breylinger, Hands for Homeless executive director, "1,016 meals reach 212 children and 448 adults in every distribution." In October 2023, the lodge donated a portion of its $6,000 Elks National Foundation Beacon and Spotlight grants to the mobile program, and the rest of the funds were spent on a heated holding cabinet and a gas stove and oven.

Pictured in the back are members Ken Wheeler, Marty Bowers, John Lawson and Ron Schilffarth. Pictured in the front are Jane Breylinger, Diane Morse, Wainetta Holmes, Mary Brainerd and Anne Worth, guest.

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Written by Ronna Mason, PER

On Feb. 17, the Sebring Little League baseball and softball teams celebrated their opening day for 2024 at Max Long Field. The Sebring Elks sponsored a boys and girls T-ball team and a girls softball team this year. Fire Chief Austin Maddox, a lodge member, was asked to throw out the first pitch.

Pictured with the teams are Diane Morse and Ronna and Jim Mason. 

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Written by Ronna Mason, PER

Sebring Lodge participated in this year’s Americanism essay contest, with the theme of "What the Bill of Rights Means to Me." Woodlawn Elementary and Sebring Middle School participated. The winners were given a check of $75 for first, $50 for second and $25 for third place, and the teachers were given a $25 Amazon gift card.

Pictured from Woodlawn are Jerry Wright, principal; Johnathan Spiegel, Exalted Ruler; Adelyn Judah, second place; Janelle Tenneson, third place; Nytaria Worrell, first place; members Diane Morse and Donna Howerton; Andrea McHargue, teacher; and Christine Gilbert, assistant principal.

Pictured from Sebring Middle sixth grade are Wainetta Holmes, PER; Joseph Scheipsmeier, third place; Claire Brooker, first place; Lucia Guillen, second place; Tammy Goins, teacher; and members Donna Howerton and Diane Morse.

Pictured from Sebring Middle seventh grade are Wainetta Holmes, PER; Gracelyn Cummings, first place; Jadyn Young, third place; Eli Raulerson, second place; Kara Williams, teacher; and members Donna Howerton and Diane Morse.

Pictured from Sebring Middle eighth grade are Tammy Williams, teacher; Donna Howerton, member; Kylie Measner, second place; Garret Bihl, first place; and Diane Morse, member. Not pictured is Yurali Mendoza, third place.

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Written by Ronna Mason, PER

During its annual eggnog party Dec. 9, Sebring Lodge made a special presentation to two local JROTC cadets, who were chosen based on their love of country as well as their dedication to their respective JROTC units. Representing Avon Park was Captain Riley Stivala with sponsor Jacob Williams, Master Sergeant USAF (ret.). Representing Sebring was Cadet Lt. Col. Eric Schneider with sponsor Dennis Green, Chief Master Sergeant USAF (ret.). Pictured with them is Jonathan Spiegel, Exalted Ruler. More than 80 people were in attendance as well as the cadets' families. The presentation consisted of a check for $75, an Elks JROTC pin and an Elk certificate.

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Written by Ronna Mason, PER

Sebring Elks Lodge #1529 held the eighth annual Juan Rosado & Ken Hedges Memorial Golf Tournament Sept. 30 at Sun ‘n Lake Golf Club, sponsored by Alan Jay. There was a total of 144 golfers, and proceeds went to the lodge main account but $1,000 of this went into the lodge charity account. Tim Baker chaired the tournament committee. The community responded by sponsoring the tournament or a hole, providing teams and liquid refreshments, and donating prizes. The event began Friday night with a mixer at the lodge, along with raffles and a 50/50. In the morning, the Sebring High JROTC presented the colors.

Pictured are Jonathan Spiegel, Exalted Ruler, welcoming the golfers, and Jason Beatty, the club’s golf pro.