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Umatilla, FL 32784-0049
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Our Military & Veterans
West Palm Beach Elks Host Karaoke and Dinner for Veterans
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- Written by West Palm Beach Elks
On May 29, West Palm Beach Elks Lodge #1352 invited a group of veterans from the local VA hospital who are blind for an evening of music, camaraderie and celebration. The karaoke night, specially organized to honor the veterans, brought joy and laughter that filled the lodge with pride and purpose.
Pictured are veterans and lodge members.
Winter Garden Elks Riders Raise Funds for Challenge 22
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- Written by Winter Garden Elks
On May 26, the Winter Garden Elks Riders presented Challenge 22 with the $4,000 they raised from their Feb. 8 charity ride. Challenge 22’s mission is to end veteran suicide.
Pictured are Austin Arthur and Kurt Geis, lodge members and leaders of Challenge 22.
Cocoa Beach Elks Shop with Eight Veterans for Items to Set up their New Homes
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- Written by Susan Janes
On June 11, eight members of Cocoa Beach Elks Lodge #2387 shopped with eight veterans at Dollar General in Cocoa Beach, purchasing $3218.30 worth of goods for the veterans. With the coupons that are downloaded, the discounts from Dollar General and the money for the ENVSC Welcome Home Kits, they spend approximately $400 per veteran on items to help the veterans set up their new home.
Pictured are member Gene Phillips and a veteran after shopping.
South Miami/Coral Gables Elks Lodge Donates Supplies for Veterans Experiencing Homelessness
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- Written by South Miami/Coral Gables Elks
Between March 11 and April 1, South Miami/Coral Gables Elks Lodge #1676 used its Elks National Foundation Beacon and Spotlight grants. Members Rick Del Vecchio and Fred Jaca, PDD met with VA personnel to determine what was needed to help veterans experiencing homelessness. The lodge then spent $5,874.48 on backpacks and members filled them with socks, toiletries, mosquito repellant, flip-flops, rain ponchos, dried fruit packs, tuna and chicken packets, protein bars, and food gift cards for 120 veterans.
Pictured delivering the backpacks to VA staff members Britney Brice, Denise Ramirez and Tatyana Anglade are Fred Jaca, PDD, Exalted Ruler; and Rick Del Vecchio, Lodge Grants Coordinator.
Perry Elks Share Beacon Grant with Local Veterans
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- Written by Perry Elks
On April 13, Perry Elks Lodge #1851 divided its $4,000 Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant among three entities. Members visited veterans residing at Aspire at Big Bend Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. Using $1,275 of the grant funds, they purchased personalized clothing with each veteran’s branch of service. Each vet also received a handmade lap blanket made by member Ann-Marie Preman. Eric Hodge, PER and Felisa Calhoun, Exalted Ruler, are pictured giving a local veteran at Aspire an Army T-shirt. Also pictured are Eric Hodge, PER; Felisa Calhoun; and Ann-Marie Preman giving a blanket to a veteran at Aspire.
The lodge donated $2,500 from the Beacon Grant to the local Senior Citizens Center, which supports and serves many veterans daily. Pictured at the check presentation with residents are Jim Daly, member; Gordon Brown, Lecturing Knight; Earline Neeley, Lodge Secretary; Rachel Russell, senior center director; Sylvia Ellanson, trustee; Eric Hodge, PER; Pat Ferguson, member; David Harden, Esquire; Jeanne Harden, Leading Knight; Vera Howell, Tiler; and Wayne Padgett, Taylor County Sheriff and member.
The remaining $225 was shared with the local American Legion/Veterans Service to help repair their accessible ramp, which was damaged by a hurricane. Felisa Calhoun, Exalted Ruler, right, is pictured giving the check to Jim Day, Post Commander of Taylor County Memorial American Legion #96.
Palm Coast Elks Support Quilts of Valor
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- Written by David Valinski
On June 19, the Palm Coast Elks Lodge Veterans Committee presented a $500 donation to the Quilts of Valor Foundation, whose mission is to cover service members and veterans touched by war in comforting and healing Quilts of Valor and to say, “Thank you for your service and sacrifice.” The donation came from the fundraising efforts of the Veterans Committee. A Quilt of Valor was also awarded to James B. Adams, E4, United States Air Force.
Pictured are Veterans Committee members Jerry DiMenna, David Valinski, PER Bill Hall, and Sean Reardon presenting the check to members of Quilts of Valor Foundation. Also pictured are Barbara Prusinski, a longtime friend of Adams and a representative from the Indiana Quilts of Valor who helped make the quilt, and James B. Adams, E4, USAF with his Quilt of Valor.
Perry Elks Perform Memorial Day Tribute
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- Written by Perry Elks
On May 26, Perry Elks Lodge #1851 held a Memorial Day tribute with a presentation of the Missing Man Table (MIA/POW) at the local Veterans Memorial Park, which was open to the public. PER Eric Hodge presided over the ceremony and was joined by Exalted Ruler Felisa Calhoun and lodge members. Together, they paid tribute to those who never made it home, ensuring their sacrifice is never forgotten.
Pictured are Eric Hodge, PER; Felisa Calhoun, Exalted Ruler; Tasha Smith, Al Smith, and Fonda Neel, trustees; Gordon Brown, Lecturing Knight; Earline Neeley, Secretary; Sylvia Ellanson, trustee; Vera Howell, Tiler; and members Danny Ellison, Pat Ferguson, Marie O'Steen, Jamie Sheffield, Doris Putnel, Velma Hingson, Nikki Anderson, and Charlotte Morris.
Holley-Navarre Elks Lodge Supports Healing Paws for Warriors
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- Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER
On May 27, Holley-Navarre Lodge donated $750 from the Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to Healing Paws for Warriors, an organization that trains and provides service dogs to veterans in need of extra four-legged support.
Pictured are Jenna Ladik, member’s spouse; Buddy Elliott, Lecturing Knight; John Ladik, lodge trustee; CMSgt. Dennis Krebs, USAF, ret., HPFW executive director; Monika and her service dog, Buddy; Tom Stevens, PDD, Exalted Ruler; Suzanne White, Lodge Secretary; and Carol Borden, Tiler.
Green Cove Elks Host Day of Fishing for Veterans
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- Written by Green Cove Springs Elks
On May 18, Green Cove Springs Elks Lodge #1892 hosted residents of the Clyde E. Lassen Veterans Nursing Home and their guests for lunch and an afternoon of fishing from the lodge's dock. This was funded through a portion of the Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant. Fourteen lodge members assisted 16 residents, 15 family members and friends, and five nursing home staff members with fishing and served a lunch of burgers, hot dogs, chips and ice cream.
Pictured are Dr. Rick Kunze, PER, Lodge Veterans Chair; member Laura Russell; Army veteran Dianne Gregory; Penny Kunze, VAVS Deputy Representative; Army veteran John Gregory; and Navy veteran James Massey. Also pictured are nursing home staff members on the dock.
Zephyrhills Elks Veterans Committee and Antlers Youth Members Deliver Welcome Home Kits to Veterans
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- Written by Bill Morehouse
Under the direction of Ken Fabiani, PER, Veterans Chair, and Bill Morehouse, program coordinator, the Zephyrhills Elks Lodge Veterans Committee continues to use the Elks National Veterans Service Commission Welcome Home Kit program to furnish veterans’ homes as they settle into their new homes upon completion of a recovery program. Furnishings and household items are provided through donations and purchases funded from the kit program.
On April 26, veteran David Thorpe had the bedroom in his new shared home furnished with help from the lodge's Antlers youth group. When he saw the Antlers and families and advisors roll up with a trailer full of furniture, his eyes opened wide in amazement and he smiled from ear to ear! Everyone jumped in to help him set up his new home.
Pictured are Linnea Fonslet, Antler; Anne McDonald, Antlers advisor; David Thorpe, veteran; Bill Morehouse, lodge Welcome Home Kit coordinator; and Skyler Oberman, Dane Fonslet and Mikel Oberman, Antlers.
On May 3, 2025, veteran Ronald Link had his new home furnished by the Lodge’s Veterans Committee with help from the Lodge's Antlers youth group. When he saw the Elks, Antlers, and the Antlers family and advisors arrive with a trailer full of furniture, he practically ran down the stairs of his second-floor apartment!
Pictured are Matthew Collins and Joe Collins, volunteers; Skyler Oberman and Mikel Oberman, Antlers; Mike Calabrese, Bill Morehouse’s nephew; Ron Link, veteran; Bill Morehouse, lodge Welcome Home Kit coordinator; and Charles Foust, Antlers Advisor.
“This has turned a terrible day into a great day!” That’s what veteran Daniel Ross said May 7 when he saw Bill Morehouse and his nephew, Mike Calabrese, show up with a trailer full of furniture and household items for his new apartment. Incredibly thankful, he helped them unload the trailer and fill up his empty apartment.
Pictured are Mike Calabrese, volunteer; Daniel Ross, veteran; and Bill Morehouse lodge Welcome Home Kit coordinator.
On May 25, veteran Kevin Walker had his new apartment furnished after he left a homeless shelter. He didn’t realize how much help he was about to receive until he saw Bill Morehouse arrive with a trailer full of furniture. He was overwhelmed by the support.
Bill Morehouse and Kevin Walker are pictured.
Parrish Elks Host Second Annual Memorial Day Ceremony
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- Written by Anthony D'Abbraccio, PER
On May 26, Parrish Elks Lodge #2889 held its second annual Memorial Day ceremony at the Parrish Cemetery. There were 55 attendees, including 25 lodge members, four members of the Parrish Cemetery Association Board of Directors, and 26 family members and friends of Elks, Cemetery Association board members, and veterans buried at the cemetery. Carol Ann Felts, Manatee County District 1 County Commissioner, and her assistant, Selena, were also present. Colonel Richard Tatem, retired Air Force, was again the guest speaker. His 31-minute speech had two themes — "Be your wingman's keeper" and "Stop trying to be right and instead try to be helpful." Afterward, family members of veterans buried at the cemetery received a flag to place at their loved one’s gravesite. This was followed by all other attendees placing flags at the remaining veterans’ gravesites.
Pictured are some of the ceremony attendees.
Tallahassee Elks Support Veterans Stand Down with Donation and Volunteers
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- Written by Tallahassee Elks
Tallahassee Elks Lodge #937 donated its Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to the Tallahassee Veterans Outreach group, which organized and hosted the annual Tallahassee Veterans Stand Down on the Florida A&M University campus May 16-17. Veterans who are disadvantaged or homeless are invited to receive free meals and interface with city, county and other government offices that offer free or low-cost services to them. North Florida Legal Services, the Red Cross, the local VA clinic, a barber, a veterinarian and other community entities were on hand to be of assistance.
Elks pictured serving breakfast May 17 are Linda and Lee Fish and Tom Walden, PDD, Secretary.