Southwest Central District

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Written by Sharon Hammersla, PDD

Brandon Elks Lodge #2383 used its $8,000 Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to support five local Title I schools. On Feb. 17, representatives of the five schools were guests at the lodge for a steak dinner and received $1,600 for each of their schools to use for children’s needs.

Pictured are Robin Rutzke, Veterans Chair; Nancy Rometo of Yates Elementary; Sharon Hammersla, PDD, lodge grants coordinator; Kelly Touckton of Willis Peters Exceptional School; Gina Becker and Kelly Brocato of Dover Elementary; Heidi Myer and Sara Schwanzl of Lopez Exceptional School; Lauren Leto of Brandon High School; Marionette Garvey; Exalted Ruler; and Mary Lou Scribner, PER.

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Written by Arcadia Elks

Arcadia Lodge #1524 collected 110 gifts and gave them to the Arcadia Police Department for Santa to deliver!

Pictured are Brian Burns, PSP with Quinn Jones, lodge member and Arcadia City Marshall.

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Written by Mary Lou Scribner, PER

Brandon Lodge #2383 collected 1,043 toys from local Walgreen stores. The Brandon PER Association chairs and organizes this event for the lodge. Lodge volunteer members collected the gifts and other members sorted and arranged them for the exciting distribution day. Some toys were used for the Brandon Ladies’ Breakfast with Santa. Other toys were made available for the lodge Christmas party Dec. 18 with nearly 200 children from foster care. On Dec. 19, all the remaining toys were distributed. FECTS therapists Paula Tarver and Yvette Lambert were invited to take toys for their clients. Representatives from Willis Peters for Exceptional Needs School and Caminiti Exceptional Center School filled bags of toys for their students. Staff members from three Title 1 schools chose toys for students from families in need. An ad litem representative was thrilled to gather toys for the various children she represents and helps throughout the year. Lodge Veterans Chair, Robin Rutzke, collected items for ROTC students.

Pictured are Jose Velazquez from Walgreens and Marionette Sexton-Garvey, Exalted Ruler.

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Written by Mary Lou Scribner, PER

When Brandon Ladies of Elks’ Past Lady President Terri Ciesla met with a woman interested in renting the hall for a Christmas party, she immediately saw a perfect fit for what the Elks do. She got permission from the board to proceed, and on Dec. 18, the lodge partnered with Family Forever Tampa Bay and put on a Christmas party for almost 200 children in foster care along with their families of more than 75 adults. The Brandon Ladies of Elks purchased food, tablecloths and decorations using the more than $1,800 that was raised from a bunco fundraiser, which Ciesla organized and put on in record speed. The ladies brought in cupcakes for dessert. The lodge donated the use of the hall and building. Brandon Elks and Ladies cooked, set up, organized, decorated, cleaned up, and chose and organized toys. Santa (member Mark Fox) and the Grinch (member Donald Harrison) were in attendance. With extra toys that were gathered from the Walgreens-Elks gift drive, Santa was able to let each child pick out a toy to take home. Family Forever Tampa Bay is a non-profit organization that cares for foster children; adopted and kinship children; and children who have been abused, abandoned or neglected. The organization finds forever families to adopt.

Pictured is the Grinch with the toys for children to choose from.

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Written by Mary Lou Scribner, PER

Brandon Elks Lodge #2383 used its $2,500 Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to support two local organizations that continue to bridge the gap between crisis and stability. Nativity Food Pantry provides food to more than 140 families and to several local food missions. ECHO provides food, clothing, and access to life-stabilizing resources, such as computer training and resume creation assistance. In November, Mary Lou Scribner, PER and Sharon Hammersla, PDD divided the grant funds and purchased the groceries most needed by each organization. They delivered the food to ECHO Nov. 17 and to Nativity Food Pantry Nov. 22. The goal of both organizations is to support the community and alleviate food insecurity. In all, more than 2,000 pounds of food was donated.

Pictured are Sharon Hammersla, PDD and Chris, Nativity Food Bank manager.